The ‘Digital Army’ Rises Again: A New Force in South Asian Politics

In the digital age, the margin for error has almost disappeared. A careless remark, an impulsive gesture, or a moment of poor judgement can be captured on a smartphone, shared within seconds, and viewed by millions before the person involved has a chance to explain or apologise. Whether the intention is to expose wrongdoing, settle political scores or raise public awareness, the consequences can be profound and sometimes irreversible.

Today, every public space is a potential stage, every smartphone a camera, and every social media user a publisher. The digital army fought a battle in India last week that was never intended to become a war — and yet it claimed a victory. It forced the education minister of India to resign, made a powerful Prime Minister Modi take notice, and turned public criticism towards those who mocked young protesters as “cockroaches”. Few would have imagined the force a digitally empowered generation could unleash. They are all nice people but missed that one point!

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) emerged from what initially appeared to be a humorous social media joke in India. Few expected a satirical online response to transform into a wider youth-driven movement.
The man behind the idea was Abhijeet Dipke, a communication strategist based in Boston. While browsing social media, he came across a controversial courtroom remark comparing protesting youth to “cockroaches”. Instead of reacting with anger, Dipke looked at the metaphor differently. Cockroaches, he observed, are among the most resilient creatures on earth, having survived alongside humans for centuries. His thought was simple: “What if the cockroaches unite?”

That idea gave birth to CJP — a parody movement carrying the slogan “Voice of the Unemployed”. Within five days, the platform reportedly crossed 2.5 million followers, transforming from an online joke into a virtual political movement without a registered party structure. Its rapid growth reflected the same power of digital mobilisation witnessed during movements such as the Arab Spring.

CJP attracted thousands of young followers not merely because of its humour but because it captured a deeper frustration. For many young Indians, the movement became a platform to express anger over unemployment, inequality and a feeling of being ignored by those in power. On social media, we saw a young man sitting in a tiny roadside shop in New Delhi, with hardly any goods to sell. He was seen deeply engaged with the CJP movement online.

When Abhijeet arrived in New Delhi from Boston, USA, carrying a copy of B.R. Ambedkar’s writings, supporters followed him from the airport from nowhere!

At the centre of the anger was also the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination paper leak. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the single national gateway for Indian students seeking admission to medical and dental courses such as MBBS and BDS. It determines access to tens of thousands of government medical seats, where education is heavily subsidised by the state.

Estimates suggest the Indian government spends around ₹30 lakh to ₹35 lakh annually per student in government medical institutions, amounting to approximately ₹1.7 crore to ₹1.9 crore over the full 5.5-year MBBS programme. Students who secure government medical seats pay comparatively low tuition fees, ranging from about ₹15,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per year, with premier institutions such as AIIMS charging only nominal amounts.

For Indian families, as in many Asian societies, securing a prestigious and stable profession remains a major aspiration. Government employment, medicine, engineering and information technology careers continue to carry enormous social value. Even matrimonial preferences often highlight government servants, doctors, engineers and IT professionals.

However, this intense competition has created immense pressure. More than 2.2 million students appear for NEET every year. According to claims raised by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, families spend nearly ₹1.32 lakh crore annually on coaching, fees, travel and accommodation, reflecting the enormous financial burden of chasing limited opportunities.

Governments across South Asia must understand that building a meaningful society requires more than policy documents. Young people need engagement, productive opportunities and pathways to build their futures. A frustrated and ignored youth population can become a powerful force.

It has now become obvious that the digital gatherings can quickly become physical movements. Sri Lanka experienced it during the 2022 protests; Bangladesh witnessed a youth-driven uprising; Nepal saw political change influenced by public dissatisfaction; and India and Pakistan are now experiencing similar tremors.

Narendra Modi remains one of India’s most influential political figures, but the NEET controversy highlighted the importance of responding quickly to public concerns. The alleged question paper leak became a symbol of a wider trust deficit among young people. The leaking of the paper was not the mistake of the youth. They wanted accountability because preparing for NEET is expensive, time-consuming and stressful.

The original NEET-UG examination, held on 3 May 2026, faced controversy after allegations emerged that a “guest paper” containing identical questions had circulated on messaging platforms. The issue triggered protests, cancellation of the examination for affected students, and a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

When powerful figures, including Prime Minister Modi, who was criticised for not taking swift action, and India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant, who addressed youth activists as “cockroaches” during a Supreme Court hearing in May 2026, became part of such controversies, the impact became far more damaging.

Today, CJP has placed a handful of demands before the government, and Prime Minister Modi is under pressure to respond. This is the fourth lesson leaders across the SAARC region must take seriously: in the digital age, make no mistake and “Never underestimate the power of those you choose to ignore.”
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The writer is an award-winning journalist and the Deputy Editor of Ceylon Today. She can be reached at [email protected]