If you found yourself wondering why MPs were suddenly saying words like “FOMO,” “MIA,” “Clock It,” “Delulu,” “Kuchu Puchu,” and even “Vasteguna Huiya” during Parliament proceedings this week, you are not alone.
The Monsoon Session saw an unusual crossover between internet culture and Indian politics, as lawmakers from both the BJP and the Opposition borrowed popular Gen-Z expressions to make political points. Once confined to Instagram Reels, TikTok-era memes, K-pop fandoms and WhatsApp chats, these viral catchphrases have now entered the country’s highest democratic institution.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh remarked that the Leader of the Opposition had gone “MIA” (Missing in Action) and later suggested “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) explained his political moves. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj urged the Opposition to “clock it” while defending the Centre’s policies, and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya dismissed the Opposition as “delulu,” internet shorthand for “delusional.”
On the Opposition benches, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda added his own dose of Gen-Z humour during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill by using the viral expressions “Kuchu Puchu” and “Vasteguna Huiya,” both of which gained widespread popularity during the recent student protests.
The moment marked a striking shift in parliamentary language. Speeches that traditionally relied on constitutional references, literary quotations and formal political rhetoric suddenly featured the same slang dominating social media feeds and meme pages.
What Do These Gen-Z Slangs Mean?
Clock It
The phrase “clock it” originated in African-American and LGBTQ+ ballroom culture in the United States, where “to clock” someone meant to notice, identify or call out something. It later became mainstream through drag culture and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Today, Gen Z commonly uses it to mean “spot the truth,” “notice something,” or “call it out.”
FOMO
One of the oldest internet acronyms still widely used, FOMO stands for Fear of Missing Out. The term became popular in the early 2000s to describe the anxiety of feeling left out when others appear to be enjoying experiences without you. Today, it is used in everything from social media and investing to politics.
MIA
Originally a military abbreviation for Missing in Action, MIA has taken on a broader meaning online. Gen Z now uses it to describe someone who has disappeared from conversations, social media, work or public life without explanation.
Delulu
Short for delusional, “delulu” first emerged within K-pop fan communities, where fans jokingly described unrealistic fantasies as being “delulu.” The term has since become mainstream and is now commonly used to describe someone viewed as unrealistically optimistic or disconnected from reality.
Kuchu Puchu
Unlike many internet slang terms, “Kuchu Puchu” evolved from affectionate baby talk commonly heard across several Indian languages. Social media later transformed it into a humorous and often sarcastic expression used to tease someone for being overly pampered, innocent or treated with excessive affection. During the recent student protests, it also became a political meme.
Vasteguna Huiya
Perhaps the most confusing phrase of the lot, “Vasteguna Huiya” has no recognised dictionary meaning. Internet users believe it evolved from the viral “Can I get a Hoya?” meme before being adapted by Indian content creators into a deliberately nonsensical catchphrase. Its popularity comes not from its meaning but from its absurdity, making it a favourite in memes, reels and protest videos.
Why Are Politicians Using Gen-Z Slang?
The growing use of internet language reflects how political communication is changing. Young voters increasingly consume news, debates and campaigns through Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, memes and viral videos rather than lengthy speeches or traditional television debates.
The recent CJP-led student protests demonstrated the influence of online culture, with slogans, memes and viral catchphrases helping mobilise thousands of young people. As a result, politicians across party lines are increasingly borrowing Gen-Z vocabulary to make speeches more relatable and connect with younger audiences.
Whether these expressions remain internet trends or become a lasting part of political rhetoric remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the language of memes has officially entered Parliament.