Student activism in India has increasingly moved beyond university campuses, with social media giving young campaigners a wider platform to share their views. Sakhi Bandhu, a student associated with Jamia Millia Islamia and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), became a widely discussed figure during the student demonstrations of July 2026.
Known for combining political commentary with humour and satire, Sakhi attracted attention through protest participation and short videos on Instagram. Their growing online presence also brought discussions about freedom of expression, digital censorship and the treatment of young activists.
From University Activism to National Attention
Sakhi is a student at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi and is associated with the Students’ Federation of India, a student organisation linked to the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Although initially recognised within student circles, Sakhi gained a broader audience through videos commenting on political developments, government policies and demonstrations. Their approach combined direct criticism with humour, making their content accessible to younger social media users.
Participation in the July Student Demonstrations
Sakhi came into wider public focus during protests in New Delhi in July 2026. The demonstrations were connected to the controversy surrounding NEET-UG 2026 and demands for accountability from the Union Education Ministry.
On July 20, protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party organised a march towards Parliament under the banner of ‘Sansad Chalo’. Demonstrators called for the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the examination controversy.
Sakhi participated in the demonstration and later shared videos describing the police action. They alleged that protesters had been beaten and that their clothing had been torn during the confrontation. The videos circulated widely online and brought additional attention to the protest.
Satire Becomes a Distinctive Feature of Their Online Presence
Sakhi’s popularity was not limited to footage from demonstrations. Their Instagram reels also featured political parody and commentary on unemployment, government decisions and police conduct.
The phrase ‘Vastegune Huia’ became associated with their viral online presence. Through short-form videos, Sakhi reached audiences who might not regularly follow conventional political discussions.
Their content circulated across Instagram and X, contributing to their recognition as one of the prominent online personalities associated with the student protests.
Removed Videos Raise Questions About Online Expression
In August 2026, Sakhi raised concerns after several protest-related Instagram reels became unavailable to users in India.
A report published by ThePrint on August 7 stated that four videos uploaded between July 20 and July 25 had been removed or restricted. These reportedly included a video about the July demonstration, satirical content about Delhi Police, a parody concerning unemployment and an interaction with food volunteer Mohammed Junaid.
Instagram notifications reportedly referred to community standards and government or law-enforcement notices under India’s Information Technology framework.
A Delhi Police official told ThePrint that the department regularly flags content considered objectionable and denied that the action specifically targeted posts connected with the Cockroach Janta Party.
The episode brought renewed attention to how social media platforms handle political content and documentation of public demonstrations.
Online Abuse Adds to the Challenges
Sakhi’s growing visibility also attracted online hostility. They reported receiving abusive messages, body-shaming comments and personal attacks, including threats relating to their gender identity.
A report published by The Japan Times, drawing on Bloomberg reporting in August 2026, described the harassment Sakhi said they had faced. An investigation by DFRAC later documented abusive comments directed at Sakhi and other individuals who became prominent during the July protests.
Sakhi also faced online allegations that they were a paid protester. Such claims formed part of the online backlash and should not be treated as established facts.
A Wider Conversation About Young Activists
Sakhi Bandhu’s experience reflects how student movements increasingly use digital platforms to communicate with audiences beyond university campuses. Their combination of demonstrations, political commentary and satire helped bring student concerns into wider public discussions.
At the same time, the controversy over restricted videos and reported online harassment highlights the difficulties activists can encounter when their political participation becomes highly visible.
Sakhi’s story has therefore become part of a broader conversation about youth activism, digital expression and the treatment of gender-diverse voices in public debate.