The Guardian view on Narendra Modi’s gen Z crackdown: he cannot arrest his way out of a democratic crisis
Young protesters have exposed the limits of a strongman’s authority. Crushing dissent risks deepening the democratic crisis he should confront
TL;DR
- Narendra Modi's government's crackdown on gen Z Cockroach Janta party (CJP) protests over electoral rights appears to have backfired.
- Thousands were detained, including CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke, and journalists were targeted.
- Protesters demand the resignation of India's election chief over alleged deletion of 130 million voters' names, potentially benefiting the BJP.
- The article argues that repression fuels distrust and risks escalating frustration into wider resistance.
- The actions have weakened public faith in institutions like the election commission and the courts.