Banners, Memes, Tear Gas: How Gen-Z reclaimed streets, rebuilt protest culture

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When a movement starts producing pop-culture moments as fast as political demands, you know the culture has shifted. A protest that began as a fierce outcry over systemic failure and paper leaks quickly transformed into a landmark spectacle of youth-led defiance. Faced with harsh rhetoric and derogatory labels—like being branded “cockroaches”—India’s Gen-Z did what they do best: they flipped the script, using biting satire, viral memes, and pop-culture icons to turn a slur into a badge of resilience.

From Spider-Man on the front lines to shared chocolates in the midst of chaos, here is how five young artists, students, and photographers across India experienced the noise, the nuance, and the visual heartbeat of the CJP protests.

There are countless heartfelt memories from the protest, from the creative slogans, narebaazi, and Gen Z’s powerful art

In a movement driven by pop-culture wit, the underlying heartbeat remained deeply earnest. For actor Shubham Dhamija, taking to the streets wasn’t just about trending slogans—it was about demanding fundamental answers from the state. “As a citizen, a human being, and an artist, I have always wanted answers for this nation and its people. Seeking accountability for the paper leaks and demanding a better education system were not the only reasons I was there. I also wanted to stand against this growing jingoism, because our nation is much more than just a religion. The students, the people, and everyone who stood up for this nation inspired me. To me, this is the bare minimum we owe our country, ourselves, and future generations.”

The 26-year-old joined the protest in New Delhi on July 12, and stayed for 10 days witnessing the growing momentum. When the atmosphere turned volatile, the anger on the streets quickly materialised into radical care. Dhamija recalls how the immediate aftermath of brutal police action sparked an unexpected wave of nationwide solidarity. “There are countless heartfelt memories from the protest, from the creative slogans, narebaazi, and Gen Z’s powerful art, to the incredible sense of unity. However, the one that stays with me the most came after the lathi charge.”

While many hilarious slogans and banners surrounded him, Dhamija’s lasting visual memory is one of hope, “Despite the violence and bloodshed, we stood even stronger. Soon after, food and water supplies started pouring in from across the country. I volunteered alongside others to manage the supplies. It took us nearly 2 to 3 hours just to collect, segregate, and organize all the food and water. I still remember sitting there alone, looking up at the sky, and crying. I had never felt more patriotic in my life. To this day, it remains one of the purest and most cherished memories I carry from the protest.”

It moved me because it made me realise how big that movement was

The protest grounds were as unpredictable as they were poetic. Travelling from Nagpur, freelance photographer Arsh arrived to find an environment caught between raw anger and profound human connection. “I wanted to be a part of it since I was tired of complaining about not having better air, roads, or infrastructure. It was the culmination of frustration and anger that had been building up for a while. I was tired of putting up with everything that the government does to its people.”

“When I arrived at the protest, it was chaotic everywhere. I started following large groups of people toward the protest site, but I couldn’t reach it. I could smell and feel the tear gas from a distance. I heard explosions as well since the tear gas shells were expired. Overall, I found the environment to be quite unpredictable,” the 23-year-old recalls. 

Yet through the haze of expired tear gas, Arsh captured a quiet frame that proved this uprising wasn’t limited to a single demographic. “An old man standing by a tree, almost holding onto it. It moved me because it made me realise how big that movement was. People from all age groups were a part of it. People were united—it didn’t matter what religion or caste they belonged to, everyone had a motive to be there. I think it was beautiful, but it also made me sad because I was thinking, ‘This is what it takes for us to be united; I wish it were under better circumstances.'”

There were students in creative costumes: Spider-Man, Batman, Hulk, and even mythological figures such as Yamraj

Where traditional protests often feel grim, Gen-Z brought a festival of internet culture, humour, and surrealism. Recent Delhi University graduate Himanshu Singh witnessed firsthand how viral reels and cosplay became legitimate tools of political engagement. “I joined because I wanted to be part of a moment that so many young people cared about. The atmosphere was energetic, welcoming, and surprisingly positive. People were talking to strangers, taking photos, and there was a real sense of unity. One thing that stood out was how Gen-Z blended activism with social media. Reels, memes, and humorous content helped the protest reach a much wider audience, making it more accessible and encouraging many more people to participate.”

The Faridabad resident describes the crowds he encountered, “There were students in creative costumes, with people cosplaying characters like Spider-Man, Batman, Hulk, Luffy, and even mythological figures such as Hanuman Ji and Yamraj. Many content creators and influencers also joined in. It was loud, emotional, chaotic, and unforgettable.”

From tense confrontations to a full-blown cosplay carnival, the energy shifted dramatically the moment their demands landed. “The main protest day was intense and, at times, genuinely frightening. Many people were injured as the police carried out lathi charges across a large area and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The moment I remember most vividly was when the protesters learned that their main demand—the Education Minister’s resignation—had been met. The atmosphere changed instantly. People were cheering, dancing, singing, hugging each other, and celebrating together. It honestly didn’t feel like a typical protest at times; it felt like a festival.”

One of the most striking parts of the protest was just how creative and witty the posters were

While memes provided the armour, organic community care provided the backbone. Delhi student Nikita Yadav highlights how peer-to-peer protection turned scary ground realities into displays of instinctual solidarity.  “The unaccountability of the government and the unity of students demanding it motivated me to join the protest. As a student myself, I can empathise with my peers and how they feel when the government itself is being corrupt. They should be the hope of the students, but instead, they are making students feel more vulnerable and hopeless.”

In a sea of crowd, she made note of unforgettable visual statements that combined pop culture and politics, “One of the most striking parts of the protest was just how creative and witty the posters were. I cannot forget the satirical one referring to a Melody toffee.”   

However, for the 22-year-old, the real visual story lay in how students actively shielded one another from systemic aggression. “It was the way the protesters were enjoying and supporting each other. During the protest, police personnel were allegedly using force against some protesters. In response, several students intervened to protect those who were being targeted. They not only stepped in to shield a protester who was being beaten, but also formed a protective presence around female protesters, helping to ensure their safety and prevent further harm. Their actions reflected a sense of solidarity and collective responsibility amid a tense situation.” 

The photo I took of that moment will always mean something to me

Over in Mumbai, the movement took on a calmer yet equally potent form of expression. Freelance photographer Jehaan Patell set out to document the crowds, finding that mutual aid and unexpected moments of joy were baked into every street corner. “This was a movement I’d been following closely from the start, and I understood how important it was for people to keep showing up in numbers. As a photographer, I wanted to capture these moments and share them online to show people what was actually happening on the ground.”

Patell shares his experience of attending multiple protests, “I ended up going to three of the Mumbai protests, and at every single one, the atmosphere felt safe. At no point did it feel like the crowd could turn violent. Students and supporters were chanting slogans, people were handing out water, and someone even gave me chocolates at one point. Overall, there was a clear sense of order within the chaos.”

The 21-year-old’s camera caught a poetic bridge between present struggle and future hope. “There were many visuals I’ll never forget, but one that stands out is when the crowd passed by school buses full of kids heading home for the day. The children were cheering on the protesters even though they probably didn’t fully understand the situation, but they knew it was for their future. It felt like a perfect example of one generation fighting for the next, and the protesters cheered right back at them. Another moment that stayed with me was on the last day of the protest, the day after the resignation. The organisers played Vande Mataram, and as it played, I looked out into the crowd and all I could see were dozens of Indian flags waving in the air. The photo I took of that moment will always mean something to me.”

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