Young women who documented India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests on social media have reported experiencing significant online harassment and abuse following the movement’s conclusion. The CJP, a youth-led campaign that contributed to the resignation of India’s education minister, relied heavily on viral content including memes, reels and videos that reached hundreds of thousands of people.
During protests on 20 July, when police used tear gas and baton charges against demonstrators marching toward parliament, many young women captured footage and posted commentary on Instagram and other platforms. According to police reports, 60 protesters and 118 police personnel were injured that day, though the CJP disputed the official protester casualty count. The social media content turned ordinary students into recognizable faces of the movement.
Since the protests ended, multiple women have reported facing rape threats, doctored images circulated on social media and attempts to identify them personally. In several cases, the harassment extended beyond online spaces, with relatives and acquaintances contacting families and warning of consequences. Some women reported that strangers discovered their college affiliations and personal information. The abuse has prompted many to delete or archive protest-related posts, make accounts private or reduce their social media activity.
Women interviewed by the BBC described experiencing gender-specific targeting distinct from the treatment of male protesters who shared similar political views. The harassment included sexually explicit remarks, insults related to sexuality and threats of violence. Several women expressed concern not only for their own safety but also worry about potential consequences for family members, with parents reportedly panicking after learning of their daughters’ protest participation and visibility online.
Meanwhile, police have opened criminal cases against some protesters. The situation reflects broader concerns about online safety for women activists in India and the particular vulnerabilities faced by young women who use social media to express political views.
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