'I was slut-shamed' - Indian women 'cockroach' protesters doxxed and abused

What the report says

BBC News reports that several young women who took part in India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests say they were targeted with online abuse, threats and doxxing after posting about the demonstrations. The movement, which used Instagram posts, memes and short videos alongside street rallies, drew national attention during protests in Delhi and Kolkata and is described as having helped pressure the resignation of India’s education minister.

The BBC spoke with four women who said their protest-related videos spread widely beyond their own followers and were later used to identify them. According to the report, some were harassed with sexually explicit insults, threats of violence and edited images, while others said strangers contacted their families or tried to link them to police action. In some cases, the women said they deleted or archived posts and tightened privacy settings because of the abuse. The article also says the BBC reviewed screenshots and other material shared by the women.

The reported abuse has broader significance because it shows how online visibility can create personal risk for women taking part in political movements, especially in a climate of intense polarization. The story also notes that police opened cases against some protesters after the marches, while the online fallout continued quietly for many others.