Members of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Students Federation for India (SFI) organised a rally from Gandhi Memorial Museum to Tamukkam named ‘Madurai’s Unemployed Cockroach Rally,’ here on Sunday to protest against issues including unemployment, irregularities in competitive examinations, and the rise in petrol and diesel prices.

Speaking at the rally, District Coordinator Selva said, “The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India recently commented that the youth are causing trouble like cockroaches and parasites. Following this, the youth, who are caught up in unemployment and livelihood crises, are identifying themselves as ‘cockroaches’ and are uniting across the country.”

He alleged that the social media pages associated with this movement have been blocked and that attempts are being made to arrest the person who started it.

“This should be viewed as an expression of the youth’s resistance. However, trying to suppress it is against democracy,” he stated.

He also mentioned that irregularities in competitive exams conducted by the Union Government and the leak of the NEET exam question paper have caused dissatisfaction among the youth.

“The NEET exam has made the medical dream of poor and simple students an unattainable fruit. Along with that, question paper leaks have also occurred. Irregularities continue to take place in various competitive exams as well,” he said.

Mr. Selva also pointed out that youth engaged in the delivery business are severely affected by the rise in petrol and diesel prices.

“Youth working in various delivery companies are paid only ₹15 per kilometre. The same amount was paid when the petrol price was ₹85; it remains the same now even after the price has increased to ₹105,” he noted.

“When the BJP came to power in 2014, it promised to provide employment opportunities to two crore people per year. But that promise has not been fulfilled till now. The main objective of this rally is that the government must take action to create employment opportunities for the youth, who are India’s greatest resource,” he said.