‘Cockroach’ Youth Movement Gives Poll Chief 48 Hours
The movement has now threatened to return to nationwide protests, this time over the Election Commission, unless the chief election commissioner resigns within 48 hours.
Leaders of India’s youth-led “Cockroach” movement on Thursday gave Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 48 hours to resign, warning that they would launch nationwide protests if he does not step down.
The ultimatum came a day after The Indian Express reported differences among senior officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI), particularly over the process of updating electoral rolls.
Mamata Banerjee’s constituency:
51k votes deleted. She lost by 15k.M.K. Stalin’s constituency:
1 lakh votes deleted. He lost by 9k.Arvind Kejriwal’s constituency:
40k votes deleted. He lost by 4k.Was this the real reason behind the introduction of SIR?…
— Cockroach Janta Party – CJP (@Cockroachisback) September 24, 2026
Election Commissioners Raised Concerns: Report
According to The Indian Express, two election commissioners raised questions or expressed concerns at least 14 times over a period of 10 months in discussions with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Most of the concerns were reportedly related to the process of updating voters’ lists, which began last year.
The Election Commission responded by saying that differences of opinion were normal within any institution and maintained that all its actions were legal.
The latest warning by the youth movement raises the prospect of renewed demonstrations after weeks of protests earlier this year over India’s examination system.
Who Are the ‘Cockroaches’?
The youth-led movement emerged after national examination papers were leaked, forcing a resit that affected around two million students and triggering widespread anger among young Indians over the examination system and employment prospects.
Young protesters calling themselves “cockroaches” took to the streets from late June, with demonstrations eventually developing into a major political challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
At the height of the protests, thousands marched towards parliament, while police used tear gas to control demonstrators.
The protests were spearheaded by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Education Minister’s Resignation Ended Earlier Protests
The protesters eventually called off weeks of demonstrations after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the government accepted a series of their demands.
Celebrations erupted at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi following the announcement, with thousands of young protesters chanting slogans and dancing.
Roads around Connaught Place, near the protest site, were also closed as crowds gathered for the celebrations.
Health Minister JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, a junior minister in Modi’s office, later appeared at a joint press conference with two CJP spokespersons following another round of talks.
Nadda said the government had accepted the protesters’ demands, including reforms to the examination system, withdrawal of police cases filed against protesters and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the exam paper leaks.
“The Cockroach Janta Party declares that we withdraw the agitation in good faith,” CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said at the time.
The movement has now threatened to return to nationwide protests, this time over the Election Commission, unless the chief election commissioner resigns within 48 hours.
The development comes as Modi’s party prepares for key state elections next year.
