India’s Gen Z dents Modi’s aura ahead of key state polls

Nearly five weeks after India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 75, posted a rare Instagram selfie video.

He said he was pained by their suffering and promised remedial steps.

But the gesture failed to appease thousands of protesters in Delhi, who had braved a police crackdown and inspired nationwide demonstrations.

On Saturday, Pradhan resigned, meeting the protesters’ main demand in a rare setback for Modi.

The resignation marked a clear win for the CJP, whose Gen Z supporters mocked Modi through raps, placards and graffiti—an unthinkable challenge in a political landscape dominated by him since 2014.

“A much wider cross-section of people is now questioning the government,” said Sanjay Srivastava of SOAS University.

Analysts noted the protests reflected deeper anxieties over unemployment and fears that AI could erode jobs in India’s IT sector.

“The paper leak is a trigger point,” said political analyst Amitabh Tiwari.

“It reflects frustration and anger among the youth.”

Rajnath Singh, a senior minister, said the government’s priority was to address students’ concerns.

Yet critics argue the ruling party is out of touch with Gen Z.

Opposition parties have tried to capitalize on the protests, seeing a rare opening against Modi.

Upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat could test this youth anger, while the bigger risk for Modi may lie in 2029 if the CJP enters electoral politics.