Indian celebrities have been fiercely criticised this week for staying silent as a new youth movement, the Cockroach Janata party, drove some of India's largest protests in years demanding accountability over exam paper leaks.
Key facts
- Hundreds of thousands of young Indians took to the streets this week, according to the Guardian.
- The movement calls itself the Cockroach Janata party (CJP).
- Protesters are demanding accountability over exam paper leaks.
- Bollywood stars and other celebrities have been accused of 'cowardice' for their silence.
- The protests represent an unprecedented challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
Bollywood stars and other Indian celebrities have faced fierce criticism this week for staying silent during some of the biggest protests India has seen in years, according to the Guardian.
Hundreds of thousands of young Indians took to the streets as part of a new youth movement that calls itself the Cockroach Janata party (CJP). The Guardian reports that the movement is demanding accountability over exam paper leaks.
The scale of the demonstrations amounts to an unprecedented challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, the outlet said.
Amid the mobilisation, many protesters directed their anger at India’s most prominent public figures. The Guardian reports that demonstrators criticised what they saw as ‘cowardice’ from India’s biggest celebrities for their silence.
The reaction highlights growing expectations among young Indians that high-profile figures use their platforms to address issues driving the current wave of unrest.
Why it matters
The protests represent a rare, large-scale youth-led challenge to the Modi government, spotlighting anger over exam paper leaks. The backlash against silent celebrities underscores how public figures are increasingly expected to take positions on politically charged issues.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cockroach Janata party?
According to the Guardian, the Cockroach Janata party (CJP) is a new youth movement in India that has drawn hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding accountability over exam paper leaks.
Why are Indian celebrities being criticised?
The Guardian reports that Bollywood stars and other celebrities have been accused of 'cowardice' for staying silent in the face of the protests.
What are the protesters demanding?
Protesters are demanding accountability over exam paper leaks, according to the Guardian, in what the outlet describes as an unprecedented challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.