Author Chetan Bhagat believes the nationwide student protests over the NEET paper leak mark India’s first major “Gen Z digital revolt”, driven not just by anger over the examination system but also by the explosive power of Instagram Reels, which transformed online outrage into a mass movement.
Speaking to India Today, Bhagat said the anger among students had existed for months, but it was the viral videos of police action against protesters that became the turning point.
“The anger was always there. The NEET paper leak issue was even an issue in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. What surprised everyone was the extent to which the protests spread,” he said.
According to Bhagat, the biggest misconception was that Gen Z would remain confined to social media.
“People felt this generation would never leave their phones. They are digital warriors. They would never come out on the streets. However, they did this time.”
He argued that the police action inadvertently gave the movement its most powerful weapon. “The government gave them content gold — visuals of heavily armed policemen chasing and lathi-charging teenagers. Those images triggered a huge emotional response.”
‘INSTAGRAM BECAME A WEAPON OF PROTEST’
Bhagat said Instagram Reels played a far greater role than platforms like X because of their ability to spread short, emotionally charged videos at lightning speed.
“Instagram has become a powerful weapon of protest, bringing all these groups together,” he said.
He further said the platform rewards dramatic visual content, and the images from the protests fit that format perfectly.
“Big cops hitting teenagers… they weren’t demanding money or jobs. They were asking for fairness, and they were getting beaten up. That was bound to explode online,” he said.
Bhagat predicted the movement would continue to gather momentum.
“This weekend, wait and watch the level of participation. The exponential growth function is something people underestimate. It is all Instagram-driven.”
Comparing the ongoing protests with the 2011 Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement, Bhagat said the biggest difference was the availability of cheap mobile internet and instant video sharing.
“You and I have probably seen the same videos within hours. That wasn’t possible in 2011.”
He said governments now need to react much faster in the social media era.
“Every hour they delay, the movement spreads further. Governments have to act quickly and dramatically—not through lip service or tokenism.”
MESSAGE FOR GEN Z
Bhagat praised the young protesters for standing up for what they believe in.
“It’s very brave of you. You make us all proud. We were also young once, and it’s nice to see the same spark in your generation,” he said.
– Ends
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Jul 25, 2026 01:26 IST
