India, July 23 -- Every popular protest reaches a juncture when governments can no longer ignore it. The agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party crossed that threshold this week. Until now, it was largely dismissed as another social media phenomenon that had online traction but was incapable of mobilising people on the streets. Comparisons with the 2011 anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare were frequent and often unflattering. Those assessments no longer appear adequate.

Social movements, much like elections, often hinge on tipping points. The CJP is now past that point, something every political movement desperately seeks. No wonder then, all kinds of political actors have started paying attention to it, and the government ha...