Arundhati Roy on India’s Voter Purges and the Cockroach Protests: A New Awakening
Award-winning author and activist Arundhati Roy has long been a voice of conscience in India, and she recently turned her attention to the burgeoning protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. In an interview with Amy Goodman, Roy discussed the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its student-led movement, which has captured national attention. According to Roy, the protests have stripped Modi of his “carefully confected image” that was propped up by India’s corporate-owned news channels and the BJP’s control over social media. She described the atmosphere as “simultaneously hilarious and a little full of apprehension,” noting that the movement is largely composed of young middle-class Hindus—the children of Modi’s Hindu right-wing constituency—along with Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. This demographic shift is significant because it represents a break from their parents’ generation, who largely voted for Modi and the BJP. Roy emphasized that despite massive police violence, the protesters are armed with “the wildest humor you can possibly imagine,” turning satire into a powerful tool of resistance.nnThe protests come at a critical juncture for India’s political landscape. Roy pointed out that the left has been reeling from electoral defeats in states where it once held major power, leaving a vacuum that these young protesters are filling. She also highlighted the context of the 2024 election, where Modi did not win a full majority, and scandals around elections have fueled public discontent. “The most wicked element in India since Modi came to power has been the corporate-owned mainstream media,” Roy stated, underscoring how the media has been complicit in upholding the government’s narrative. The student-led movement recently celebrated a major victory after the government agreed to key demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to the examination system. This success demonstrates the power of grassroots mobilization and the importance of persistent protest.nnRoy’s support for the youth, from anti-CAA-NRC protests to the CJP-led students’ protests in Delhi, reflects her unwavering commitment to justice and democracy. She remains a steadfast ally of the younger generation, who are using humor
Shimanta Das 
