Weeks of demonstrations by Indian students, self-dubbed “cockroaches” – a term initially used to denigrate them – culminated in the resignation of the country’s education minister on July 25th. The movement, born from student activism, successfully pressured the minister to step down, marking a significant victory against the government of Narendra Modi. The “cockroach” moniker, reclaimed by the protesters, symbolizes resilience and a refusal to be silenced. However, the celebratory mood is tempered by growing concerns about potential repercussions. Activists fear the government may employ facial recognition technology to identify and target participants in the protests. This raises anxieties about future repression and the safety of those involved in the movement, despite their recent success. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between youth activism and government authority in India.