NEW DELHI (AP) — In an attempt to prevent a march to Parliament, police deployed tear gas and batons against supporters of the Cockroach movement, a youth-led initiative in India. The protesters were calling for the resignation of the education minister while the government showed initial signs of engaging with the movement’s leaders.
The confrontation intensified as thousands of demonstrators attempted to move past security barricades near the protest site in central New Delhi, marking a significant escalation in their campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. Despite the police intervention, numerous protesters persisted in their march toward Parliament in smaller groups.
Saurav Das, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, criticized the authorities for what he described as a “brutal crackdown” on “peaceful protesters.” Delhi Police noted that the march lacked authorization and stated that restrictions were necessary to ensure law and order during the monsoon session of Parliament, which started on the same day.
The protest at Jantar Mantar, a designated area for demonstrations located a few kilometers from Parliament, attracted a diverse crowd including students, professionals, and families with young children. As the day progressed, the gathering expanded beyond the confines of the protest site, with participants occupying nearby streets and roads.
Protesters came prepared for a prolonged demonstration, carrying backpacks filled with water and food. Many waved Indian flags, chanting slogans against the education minister and Modi as the crowd grew.
A satirical movement evolves into a youth-led campaign
The Cockroach Janta Party arose in May following a Supreme Court chief justice’s comparison of some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” during an unrelated case. This comment was embraced by supporters and transformed into a satirical movement, which has since gained millions of followers on social media.
The movement’s momentum has been fueled by widespread public frustration over repeated leaks of high-stakes entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs. The issue gained further attention after police forcibly moved hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday.
Protesters, identifying themselves as “cockroaches,” have been camping at Jantar Mantar for the past month, with several student groups joining Wangchuk’s hunger strike. Thousands have also shown support at universities and rallies across other cities. They demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms in the examination system, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide due to paper leaks.
Government outreach surfaces amid a tense standoff
While Modi’s government has largely taken a firm stance against the movement, accusing protesters of acting against the nation, some ministers have acknowledged the students’ concerns but dismissed the need for negotiations. However, on Monday, movement representatives held discussions with Health Minister J.P. Nadda, marking the first indication of the government’s outreach to protest leaders.
CJP spokesperson Das, who met with Nadda, conveyed the protesters’ demands, including the immediate resignation or dismissal of the education minister.
Meanwhile, activist Wangchuk requested permission to leave the hospital temporarily to join the protest. In a handwritten note, he stated he would end his nearly three-week hunger strike only if the government accepted responsibility for the education system’s failures and exam paper leaks or if protesters were allowed to reach Parliament with lawmakers committing to address the issues.
Protests challenge Modi’s government
The protests have emerged as a significant public challenge to Modi’s Hindu nationalist government during its third term, garnering support from opposition parties, rights activists, and some Bollywood celebrities. Protesters argue that the space for dissent has been shrinking under Modi, whose administration has faced criticism for suppressing public protests by incarcerating activists and, in some instances, employing forceful police measures.
Yoga teacher Jyoti Rajput joined the protests, expressing frustration that “this rotten system refuses to take action.” She added, “It cannot see the pain of students, and that’s why so many people have joined this movement.”
For many, the campaign has evolved into a broader protest over government accountability. Some protesters voiced dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a lack of transparency and responsiveness from elected officials. Sneha Eppili, a 26-year-old protester, remarked, “I voted for this government, so I think it’s accountable to answer our questions. That’s the basic human right that I deserve.”
