Amid cockroach protest, Ravi Kishan bats for Gen Z, calls them the soul of India

Ravi Kishan praised Gen Z amid CJP-led protests in Delhi. He called young Indians patriotic, informed and ready to lead the country.

Actor-politician and BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan, has praised Gen Z, calling the younger generation the soul of India and saying it would lead the country in the years to come. His remarks came amid the CJP-led protests in Delhi over allegations of vote theft

"Gen Z is the soul of this country," Kishan said at Mumbai's Khidkiyaan Theatre Film Festival 2026, where he appeared alongside Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He added that he saw a reflection of himself in the younger generation.

"Gen Z is the future of this country. After us, they will run this country in all the possible ways. From Parliament to the streets, Gen Z will run the show," Kishan said.

The CJP began the NEET-UG paper leak protest from Jantar Mantar to the streets of Delhi on June 6, demanding accountability from the Centre and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation gathered momentum over the following weeks, culminating in a massive march towards Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

Protesters faced police barricades, tear gas and lathi charges as they pressed for action over the examination controversy. The pressure continued through July, and Pradhan resigned on July 25, citing the situation at the protest site and across the country. His exit marked a significant moment for the movement, which had made his resignation its central demand.

Months later, the CJP returned to the streets with a different demand. This time, its agitation centred on allegations of electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the poll body of failing to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. The renewed mobilisation brought the group back to Jantar Mantar and other public spaces, shifting its focus from accountability over an entrance examination to accountability over elections.

The CJP is seen as a youth-driven pressure group that seeks to raise issues affecting young Indians. However, Kishan sought to distinguish Gen Z as a whole from the CJP and its protests, saying the younger generation had no association with either the group or the Jantar Mantar 2.0 movement.

"Whatever is happening in Delhi's Jantar Mantar is a different world. Gen Z has no association with it. The generation is patriotic and stands by the country. They will run the country in the near future," Kishan said.

The two-time BJP MP also urged people not to impose their views on young Indians, saying they were already well-informed and capable of forming their own opinions.

"Gen Z are already well-informed people. They know a lot of things. So, it will not be good if anyone tries to teach them anything," he said.