THE Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which caught the fancy of the nation as a sarcastic digital handle, has surprised all by turning into a full-fledged public movement. Their dogged protest in the national capital has added a significant chapter to India’s political history as it stoked a students’ uprising and ended with the resignation of the Education Minister. What began as a satire has, in fact, turned into a common thread for India’s Gen Z who have definitely made themselves count in the political corridors. The movement against irregularities in NEET UG examination has come as an eye-opener for the entire country. It has thrown up many results and myriad interpretations.

 

The boldest outcomes of the CJP protests at Jantar Mantar will reverberate in the youth and political circles for a long time. As the movement gets over and hints at transforming into a new template for students, some things have become aptly clear;

 

1. Democracy listens to an issue if put forth with honesty and logic.

2. Student movements are not dead in India. They still wield enough power over politics.

3. There is no need for a political platform every time to converse with the powers-that-be.

4. Social media holds tremendous power in engineering convergence of raw energy of the youth.

5. A VILE ENVIRONMENT IS SHAPING OUR YOUTH.

 

The last outcome is the most dangerous one coming from the students protest. It is the most saddening part of this movement as wayward and reckless youngsters resorted to crass, derogatory and indecent language for the Prime Minister without realising consequences of their irresponsible action. In the process, the cause was swiftly defeated by the culture on display during the protests across India. There is palpable outrage over the dirty abuses hurled by girls and boys alike towards the PM. They simply trampled all limits of decency and public conduct and left behind memories that will surely haunt them in future life. The language was terribly offensive, abusive and third rate. In a fit of rage, the misplaced youthful exuberance of these students clouded their good senses and the urge to gain a few likes got the better of them. What followed was a filthy dance of expletives and undignified behaviour. The show would force any decent society to hang its head in shame.

 

That is why the disappointment, that is why the anger against those indecorous youngsters who masqueraded as students but ultimately caused immense harm to the movement itself. Disagreements are an essential part of a healthy democracy. The NEET paper leak fiasco deserved strong reaction from the society, for, it snuffed out some precious young lives. The demand for reforms in the entire examination system, too, was totally justified. The Centre did take some time to realise the seriousness of the CJP protest but it was forthcoming on discussing all demands with an open mind. However, never did the government compromise with dignity while holding discussions with the student groups. Yet, the response from a section of youngsters was a blot on civility. Democracy is also about the beauty of language while expressing a different opinion. Political and civil movements in the country have seen impressive oratory from many young and old leaders in the past. Some of those speeches have turned into literature to be studied and practiced in public life.

 

A dangerous contrast was on display during the CJP protest as social media handles reeled out frightening content full of expletives and abusive language. It was not satire or political criticism. Nor was it a passionate disagreement. It was a crude and obscene behaviour by a handful of youngsters hurling the vilest abuses. It was sign of a blatant societal decay and intellectual bankruptcy. Agreed, expletives have remained part of discourses in the general society. But when abuses become the first language and an accepted norm, it points to an impending doom for civility. Videos circulating from the demonstrations are deeply disturbing for the wrong interpretation of freedom of speech. One has the right to disagree with the PM, his party or his policies. One has the right to vote against the party or the person. One has the right to criticise the decisions taken by country’s leaders. But freedom of speech does not give the right of using offensive language as a response. The essence of democratic freedom was stretched too far during the protests and that is very saddening. Expletives and abuses become part of an argument when one runs out of reason.

 

The ‘champions of free speech’ during the CJP protests clearly lacked ideas and understanding of the subject so they chose to take the discourse towards gutter language. It was a mental bankruptcy of a section that, unfortunately, looks at reel life as the biggest chance of scoring glory. They did have their moment on the digital platforms but little did they realise that the internet never forgets.

 

Their digital imprint is unlikely to fade despite some of them logging off from their social media handles after the outrage. One hopes better sense prevails soon and they discard the penchant for this fleeting fame. Parallely, there is a need to find out the reasons behind this negativity in society. Degradation of language is a major concern for a country boasting of its rich culture. Restoration of civility needs urgent action. If it needs curbing filthy content easily available on the OTTs and digital platforms, then it is time to crack down on these sources. The Indian society cannot be allowed to become a hub of vulgarity.