Modi sets a new Instagram Reel record amid student protests across India.

      **TL;DR** Modi shattered Instagram’s Reel view record with over 300 million views amidst student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party across India.

      Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared two selfie videos on Instagram as student protests unfolded nationwide. The initial Reel surpassed 300 million views within 24 hours, setting a record for the platform. The 75-year-old leader filmed the videos late Thursday and Friday, opting for the short-video format that resonates with the youth driving demonstrations against his administration. Previously, the record was held by YouTuber IShowSpeed, who posted a video of himself meeting the K-pop group BTS after the FIFA World Cup final earlier this month.

      The unrest originated from India’s NEET medical entrance exam, which was conducted on May 3 and cancelled on May 12 following the discovery of a paper leak. Student organizer Abhijeet Dipke established the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on May 16, naming the movement after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant's comment comparing unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a court hearing. The CJP has since amassed over 20 million followers across various platforms, though the figures may differ by source, and has organized nationwide marches calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

      Modi’s administration has addressed the protests with both online crackdowns and public engagement. Authorities instructed GitHub to restrict Jack Dorsey’s BitChat messaging app after CJP organizers began using it due to limitations on mainstream platforms. With about 480 million users, India is Instagram’s largest market, and the government has also summoned Meta executives regarding failures in ad moderation and has mandated the removal of child safety violations on the platform.

      Modi’s shift to Reels is notable, considering he has over 100 million Instagram followers and has traditionally favored formal speeches and scripted appearances. Biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay remarked to Bloomberg that the prime minister seems to be “at his wits’ end” regarding the protests, although Modi’s team presents the videos as a playful effort to engage younger viewers. Previously, Modi has employed personal diplomacy to engage with tech leaders, but now he is attempting to confront protest movements directly on their preferred platform.

      The unprecedented viewership highlights the vastness of India’s social media audience, even as the government tightens its grip on the platforms. It remains uncertain whether Modi's Reels strategy can shift the dialogue away from issues of exam fraud and youth unemployment. The CJP shows no signs of backing down, and its capacity to organize millions despite platform restrictions indicates that Modi is dealing with a digital resistance that may not be quelled by mere selfie videos.