Recent upsurges of mass mobilization — most notably by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) — seem to mark a new and notable direction in the political landscape. What began as an online, social media joke or satirical reaction to a comment by the Chief Justice of India has evolved into an on-ground “movement”.

After an uncertain start, it gained momentum as concern about the leaks in NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), the nation-wide entrance test for medical admissions, focused on demanding the resignation of the education minister. In a few weeks, it grew to cities across the country and attracted ever-bigger crowds everywhere, comprising youth but also including many others.