Will the BJP weather the Gen Z revolt?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held media briefings in Delhi in early June, showcasing a 15-minute film celebrating 12 years of Narendra Modi’s government. The film included a segment titled ‘young India on the move,’ featuring pro-youth measures set to a rap song blending Hindi and English, marking a shift from the party’s usual Sanskritized communication style. On May 26, the BJP released another rap video on social media, describing it as a celebration of ‘12 years of transformation’ with lyrics in a modern, urban Hindi dialect. The move followed widespread discontent among students over the NEET paper leak and CBSE’s flawed Class 12 evaluation process, fueling protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a Gen Z-led movement demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The BJP now faces its biggest challenge in its third term from Gen Z anger, with immediate pressure over Pradhan’s role in examination failures. The party fears protests could expand beyond education issues, drawing broader public discontent. Internal discussions highlight Gen Z’s electoral influence, as seen in Tamil Nadu’s recent political shift, where youth played a decisive role. The BJP’s response to the CJP’s rapid online growth and June 6 protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar reflects deep unease. During a meeting with Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party on June 2, party president Nitin Gadkari discussed Gen Z’s political impact, referencing Nepal’s recent regime change driven by youth mobilization. The party acknowledges the demographic’s potential to shape future elections and is monitoring the situation closely.