BJP in the news: right-wing powerhouse loses a Women's Quota Bill vote in Parliament while Gen Z buzz and opposition protests ripple across India. Big party, big headlines.
India's parliament has rejected a bill that would increase female representation and expand the size of the lower house from 543 to about 850 seats. The bill was linked to a contentious delimitation process based on the 2011 census, sparking protests and accusations of political manipulation. The bill required a two-thirds majority and was defeated with 298 votes in favor and 230 against.
The Cockroach Janta Party has grown from a satirical social account into a mass youth movement that has amassed more than 22 million Instagram followers and organised street protests in New Delhi. Founder Abhijeet Dipke has returned from the U.S. to lead rallies demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign after repeated exam paper leaks and cancelled tests.
The government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate its premises, citing public interest and security needs. The club, a historic hub for India’s elite, faces eviction on a timeline that faces court challenges and wide public debate. The clash highlights Modi-era efforts to curb elite institutions linked to the colonial past.