The BJP has come under fire for its handling of Gen Z protests, with critics accusing the party of mislabeling student demonstrators as "anti-national" and failing to address youth concerns. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke urged BJP leaders to heed RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s call to avoid such labels, arguing that the party is out of step with its ideological mentor on issues like education and unemployment (thehindu.com). Dipke also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the youth’s grievances seriously, highlighting a growing disconnect between the ruling party and its younger constituents.
In response to the protests, Modi has turned to social media, particularly Instagram, to engage with Gen Z voters. Recent posts feature casual, relatable content such as biker jacket selfies and clips using the theme song from the sitcom *Friends*, aiming to project a more approachable image (dawn.com). This strategy reflects an effort to bridge the gap with a demographic that has increasingly criticized the government over job and education shortages.
Political strategist Prashant Kishor, a former Modi ally, has emerged as a key figure in recent elections, delivering a rare defeat to the BJP in one of its strongest constituencies. His victory underscores the shifting political landscape and the impact of Gen Z protests on voter sentiment (independent.co.uk).
