India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) experienced notable setbacks in recent by-elections, following widespread student protests that challenged the government’s handling of education issues. The elections, held over the weekend, saw the BJP lose two of three contested seats, raising concerns about its hold on younger voters, particularly amid rising unemployment and dissatisfaction with educational policies.

A significant upset occurred in the Bankipur constituency in Patna, Bihar, where Prashant Kishor, an electoral strategist turned politician, secured a victory for his nascent Jan Suraaj (Good Governance) party. This constituency, considered a BJP stronghold, became a focal point after student-led protests erupted in response to leaks in examination papers, a scandal that ultimately led to the resignation of the state education minister. Kishor described his win as a “wake-up call” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to address pressing issues around education and employment.

The BJP also lost the Datia seat in central Madhya Pradesh to the opposition Congress party but managed to retain Manjalpur in Gujarat, Modi’s home state, preventing a complete electoral rout. The by-elections attracted significant attention as a barometer of public sentiment, especially among younger voters, who constitute nearly two-thirds of India’s population.

Supporters of Prashant Kishor credited his campaign’s focus on education, exam integrity, and youth unemployment for its success. Deepak Sharma, a former BJP supporter, noted that Kishor’s simple but resonant message—“vote for the future of your children”—appealed more to young voters than traditional political rhetoric.

The student protests, sometimes referred to as the Cockroach movement, have been partly linked to the BJP's declining appeal among Gen Z voters. The official youth unemployment rate in India stands at 16%, but independent research from Azim Premji University indicates even higher unemployment among recent graduates, amplifying concerns about job prospects.

The BJP leadership responded to the losses with calls for internal reflection. Party president Nitin Nabin, who previously attracted criticism for labeling protesters as “a virus and a cockroach gang devoted to breaking the country,” acknowledged the need for “thorough introspection.” Senior officials within the BJP indicated that the election results revealed vulnerabilities, suggesting that even the party’s core base could be swayed by emerging alternatives.

With a series of state elections scheduled for the coming year and national elections set for 2029, these developments underscore growing challenges for the BJP amid shifting public priorities and a politically active youth demographic.