On Monday, 20-year-old Chhavi (name changed) paused outside a Delhi metro station on her way to what would become one of the largest anti-Prime Minister Narendra Modi protests in the Indian capital in recent memory.
She balanced her phone against a railing, took a step back, and recorded a quick “fit check” video showcasing her clothing prior to the protest. She smirked at the camera as she said, “I’m going to get beaten by cops. Hours later, police fired tear gas and assaulted demonstrators with batons as tens of thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that expanded from protests over exam irregularities into a larger push for government accountability, marched toward parliament.
They demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation due to exam paper leaks and recruitment scandals. Pradhan has refused to step down, blaming the opposition of exploiting students for political benefit.
Authorities shut down mobile internet around the protest venue. By dusk, demonstrators claimed that police had battered them, and police confirmed that a number of officers had been injured.
When Chhavi finished uploading the videos that evening, one thing stood out. Before the march, she made a joke about getting battered by police. Hours later, she was still smiling, posing with riot officers, flashing victory signs, filming through crowds, and even interviewing an injured demonstrator.
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