The Young Cockroaches

There was a time when the youth purpose revolved around the concept of “chivalry”; they dreamt of building nations, philosophies, revolutions and identities. Now, this generation, it has changed with this ever-evolving world. It dreams of surviving the month, rents, unemployment, family and societal pressure, mental fatigues and endless comparisons.

(Taken from Cockroach Janta Party Website)

Unemployment is the biggest curse

Imagine a normal person – especially from South Asian region – he wakes up, scrolls through tragedies, luxury lifestyles, wars, a motivational reel and then imaginative success. Even if a person goes to job, he pretends that their soul is not quietly collapsing.

The question is not: who am I? Rather, how much pressure one can tolerate before breaking?

From this so-called democratic system to societal pressure, and parents/family acting as a catalyst, the survival, itself, is becoming a challenge for this youth.

On some basic research, I found out that the unemployment, in South Asia, ratio is around (approximately) 15-20%. Well the figure sounds okay, if you ask me, considering the youth-bulge and overall population. However, firstly, this figure is understated. Secondly, underemployment, discouraged workers, skills mismatch and informal instability plays a greater role. Moreover, these issues are the tip of the iceberg, the picture is way uglier than it seems.

Youngsters, like cockroaches

Recently, Chief Justice of a country said, “youngsters, like cockroaches, who don’t get employment… and start attacking everyone.” Well, he did clear his remarks that it was meant for those using fake degrees and misinformation – even abusive language – to attack institutions. I can vouch for his just intentions; he is a well educated person, so he will never make such foolish remarks. But, these remarks are the hidden reality which everyone is scared to share. Otherwise, to them, to this system, a layman is just a cockroach.

Cockroaches Reaction

Youth, after hearing these remarks, interpreted it as an insult toward frustrated unemployed youth in general, especially amid: unemployment, exam paper leak controversies, economic anxiety and distrust in institutions. The same system which vouched for a better tomorrow is now blaming the same force which gave them the power to speak. How ironical!

Beginning of the Beginning

GenZ took it serious, and in response, it led toward a viral satirical movement called the “Cockroach Janta Party”. Thanks to the same unemployed youth, the moment rapidly exploded across social media as a form of political satire and GenZ's protest.

And maybe, this is why “The Metamorphosis” (by Franz Kafka) feels horribly modern. Gregor Samsa did not wake up as a monster merely because of fantasy; he became one because society had already reduced him to such manner. He was seen as a utility, a profit generator, before the transformation even happened. The moment he could no longer provide, his existence became unbearable to others. Modern youth has transformed into insects as well, because they, too, feel unseen beneath limitless expectations, productivity charts, degrees and competition. In a world obsessed with output only, a struggling person is mostly treated as an abnormal rather than a soul in pain.

The modern economic structure has done it systematically. With hope, acting as a double-edge sword. On one hand, it keeps the youth permanently hopeful that one day every thing will turn out well. On the other, it keeps on exhausting to a limit that nothing feels meaningful anymore. They are told to work harder in a system where even rest feels like guilt.

And yet, despite this decay, satire has become the final weapon of the powerless. The “Cockroach Janta Party” was never merely about an insult, it was a mirror for institutions, society and even democracy itself. The change is not proper, but it surely is in the play now. The cockroaches are making their way out. Because,, they possess endurance and hatred against this system.

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Peace 🕊