India's Modi Addresses Young 'Cockroaches' for First Time

A Gen Z protest that began a month ago under the unlikely uniting banner of cockroaches has blossomed into one of the biggest political crises in Indian leader Narendra Modi's three terms, reports Reuters. And Modi's first attempt to appease protesters has fallen flat. On Thursday, Modi pledged to create special "fast-track" courts to punish officials responsible for widespread leaks of critical exams, per CNBC. The newly formed Cockroach Janta Party movement dismissed the move, insisting instead that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign first.

"It's a Band-aid," says CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, per the Guardian. "That's not giving us accountability. There have been zero convictions so far all these years, so this measure is of no use." The leaks involved competitive entrance exams for medical colleges as well as government jobs, notes the AP. The youth movement, which calls for reform of the nation's educational system, has expanded to address a raft of other issues. The "cockroach" name itself is a satirical nod to a statement from India's top judge referring to unemployed youth as "cockroaches." Protests turned violent earlier this week in New Delhi, and thousands of protesters were back on the capital's streets on Thursday.