Gen Z slang lands in India’s Parliament after youth protest

Tens of thousands of students marched in Delhi demanding accountability over an alleged exam paper leak. After the movement forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign, MPs in the Lok Sabha began shouting terms like “delulu,” “FOMO,” and “clock it,” bringing Gen Z’s online vernacular into the heart of Indian politics.

The Cockroach Janta Party – a satirical internet collective that turned into a mass movement – has used memes, reels and hashtags to rally the nation’s youth. Its slogans, such as “waste‑guna‑huiya,” and the slang adopted by MPs signal that politicians are increasingly attuned to the digital languages of their voters.

While some observers call the phenomenon a sign of cultural awareness, others argue that language alone does not amount to real change. “Speaking our language won’t impress us unless there’s accountability,” said one protester, calling politicians’ mimicry “cringe.”

The government has tightened its response, pursuing legal action against activists and seeking removal of some protest content online. The CJP has warned that it will return to the streets if cases aren’t dropped. Whether the slang will endure in politics remains to be seen, as internet vernacular evolves rapidly.