Five Gen Z protesters at the main protest site in the capital New Delhi spoke to AFP about what was driving them to join the movement initiated by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).The protests have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his re-election in 2024.'Speak up'Madhu, 21, said the medical entrance exam paper leak that forced more than two million candidates to sit for a retest, provided the initial spark."The paper leak was the spark and the CJP provided a platform for people to protest," she said."But now it has become a forum to talk about our many problems, from unemployment to the lack of freedom to speak up under this government."She attributed the outpouring of support for the protests to "years of repressed frustration"."It has been a long time since this government last spoke to us in good faith," she said while cleaning up the protest site.Madhu said her parents feared for her safety -- she had her face covered with a surgical mask and gave only her first name -- but that she felt obliged to be part of the movement."Sometimes you have to overcome your own fears."- 'Just sack him' -
Aarohi Singh's sister was forced to resit the leaked medical entrance exam, but did not pass © Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
