Return of Profanation as a New Political Language

Why in News?

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Jantar Mantar centred on examination irregularities, unemployment and governmental accountability have drawn attention to the growing use of humour, memes, satire and unconventional symbols in political mobilisation. 

What is Profanation?

• Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben describes profanation as returning something that has been placed in a “sacred”, exclusive or restricted sphere to the ordinary use of people.
• In politics, it means symbolically dismantling the aura of invincibility surrounding rulers and institutions through:
  • humour and satire;
  • parody, memes and political cartoons;
  • informal language and symbolism; and
  • rejection of titles, rituals and official conventions.
• Profanation should not be confused with profanity. The former challenges power symbolically, while the latter involves abusive or obscene language. Threats, slurs and violence cannot be justified as democratic dissent.

Historical Roots in India: 

Profanation has long figured in India’s political history:

• Non-Cooperation and Swadeshi challenged the prestige and legitimacy of colonial institutions.
• Bonfires of foreign cloth converted an object of imperial commerce into a symbol of resistance.
• Gandhi returned the Kaiser-i-Hind medal, while Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• Gandhi’s simple dress, political humour and refusal to conform to imperial etiquette symbolically undermined colonial authority.

Thus, anti-colonial politics challenged not only British coercive power but also the rituals and symbols through which colonial rule presented itself as superior.

Rise of Informal Politics: 

• Contemporary youth movements increasingly combine physical demonstrations with digital tools such as memes, hashtags, satire and short videos. 
• The CJP’s adoption of the “cockroach” identity illustrates how a derogatory label can be appropriated and transformed into a collective symbol of resilience.
• Such movements are generally:
  • decentralised and non-party based;
  • issue-specific rather than ideologically comprehensive;
  • driven by digital-native youth;
  • sceptical of established political organisations; and
  • capable of rapidly linking online mobilisation with street protest.

Democratic Significance: 

• Democratisation of political communication: Makes complex issues accessible to wider audiences.
• Reduction of fear: Humour weakens the psychological authority of powerful institutions.
• Agenda-setting: Digital mobilisation can compel governments and mainstream media to address neglected concerns.
• Political inclusion: Creates space for individuals outside formal parties and civil-society organisations.
• Non-violent resistance: Satire can provide an alternative outlet when conventional channels appear unresponsive.

Associated Concerns: 

• Leaderless movements may lack internal accountability and negotiating capacity.
• Memes can oversimplify policy questions and facilitate misinformation.
• Trolling, abusive language and personal attacks may undermine constitutional morality.
• Episodic, single-issue mobilisation may struggle to produce sustained institutional reform.
• Governments may delegitimise unconventional dissent as disorder, while protesters may wrongly treat all regulation as repression.

Constitutional Balance: 

• Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) protect freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. However, these freedoms are subject to reasonable restrictions under Articles 19(2) and 19(3), including public order and the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• The Supreme Court has recognised peaceful protest as an essential democratic right, while holding that public spaces cannot be occupied indefinitely. (Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police, 2020).

Informal politics cannot replace elections, legislatures, courts or organised political opposition. 

Nevertheless, humour, satire and symbolic profanation can complement formal institutions by questioning concentrated power and expanding democratic participation. Their legitimacy ultimately depends upon remaining peaceful, truthful, inclusive and constitutionally responsible.

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