Thousands of young protesters were camped on the streets of New Delhi on Thursday, defying new restrictions in the latest show of strength for a movement that has become one of the biggest challenges to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The “Cockroach” protests began more than a month ago over leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs. The movement has since expanded beyond exam grievances, drawing professionals and families while channeling broader frustration.
Thursday’s demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, followed overnight clashes in which police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, the second such confrontation this week.
On Monday, thousands of protesters had defied restrictions and marched toward Parliament before police broke up the demonstration with tear gas and batons.
Protesters regrouped by Thursday morning, returning to the protest site despite roadblocks, while authorities suspended Delhi Metro services at 16 stations to limit access to the demonstrations.
Modi tries to contain protest fallout
The issue of exam leaks has become a powerful symbol of frustration for millions of young Indians. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, examination system reforms and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.
Facing mounting pressure, Modi addressed the issue publicly for the first time Thursday, announcing fast-track courts to handle examination paper leak cases. Fast-track courts are special courts created to speed up cases in India’s notoriously slow justice system.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!,” Modi wrote on X.
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The announcement failed to calm protesters, who said Modi was not addressing their demands for accountability and reform.
“Rather than providing solution which is convenient for him, he should work toward a solution which is convenient for the nation and set an example,” law student Daksh Bhargava said.
Cockroach party stays true to satirical origins
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, which launched the protest movement, said they would not end the demonstrations until the education minister resigned. Staying true to the movement’s tongue-in-cheek style, its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, responded by posting a meme of Pradhan captioned, “Hi, my name is Nothing.”
The Cockroach movement began as online satire campaign in May and moved to the streets in June through smaller protests across cities. It gained momentum after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the demonstration and began a hunger strike that has lasted more than three weeks. Police forcibly transferred Wangchuk to a hospital over the weekend.
Protests reflect rising youth anger
For many young Indians, the protests have become one of the few visible expressions of dissent in a country where demonstrations against Modi’s government have led to a broader crackdown on activists, opposition figures and public protests.
The movement’s rapid growth beyond student groups reflects wider frustration among young Indians and echoes a broader trend across South Asia, where young people have driven anti-government movements in recent years.
The movement also has gained a following among Indians of all ages over concerns about government accountability, unemployment and economic opportunity.
Opposition parties have backed the protests, using the issue to challenge the government in Parliament. Demonstrations and solidarity events have been held in other Indian cities, reflecting how the movement has spread beyond the capital.
India has one of the world’s youngest populations, with millions entering a labor market that has struggled to create enough secure, well-paying jobs. Despite years of rapid economic growth, many young people say their prospects have not improved.
As one of the country’s largest voting blocs, India’s youth could also become an increasingly important political force ahead of future elections.
Since this report, the Education Minister of the country has resigned the protesters have vacated the sight and called off the projects but i dont see any reporting on that by Global news.
Whole incident also shows that One can still oppose the government, raise their voice and there is not suppression of voice. But that of course wont matter and when there is another protest in few moths, which there will be in a democracy, Global news will again claim that “protests have become one of the FEW visible expressions of dissent in India”.
Oh no. They’re going to move to Canada and buy more gas stations
Cockroachs everywhere
THATS WHAT THESE PEOPLE R !!! C O K ROACHES. ONCE THERE IN, CANNOT GET R I D OF THEM ! KEEP IT REAL
Indians are cockroaches
Explain this- “For many young Indians, the protests have become one of the few visible expressions of dissent in a country where demonstrations against Modi’s government have led to a broader crackdown on activists, opposition figures and public protests.”
India has seen multiple protests for various demands in last few years all under modi. Most famour being the farmers protest and Shaheen bagh. Both lasted for months and the Modi gov did not crack down on it, unlike what Canadian gov did when the Truckers were protesting.
On the contrary, majority of indians feel the gov has been too lenient allowing a group of disgruntled hold cities hostage for their issues.
A simple search on any of the AI platform will show these facts.
Expecting better editorial control from global news to weed out agenda driven reporting
A bunch of entitled children having a tantrum