Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse thousands of supporters of India’s youth-led Cockroach movement on Monday as they attempted to march to Parliament, demanding the resignation of the country’s education minister.
The confrontation erupted after protesters tried to break through police barricades near the demonstration site in central New Delhi, leading to one of the most intense clashes since the movement emerged. Despite the crackdown, many demonstrators continued advancing toward Parliament in smaller groups.
Saurav Das, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, claimed that movement leader Abhijeet Dipke had been detained by police and accused authorities of using excessive force against peaceful protesters.
Delhi Police said the march had not received official permission and that restrictions were necessary to ensure security around Parliament, where the monsoon session commenced on Monday.
The gathering at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest venue close to Parliament, drew students, professionals and families. Many protesters carried food and water for what they anticipated would be a prolonged demonstration, while others waved Indian flags and chanted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Movement fueled by exam leak controversy
The Cockroach Janta Party was formed in May after India’s chief justice likened some unemployed young people to “cockroaches” during an unrelated court hearing. Supporters adopted the label as a symbol of protest, transforming it into a youth-led movement that has gained widespread attention on social media.
The campaign gathered momentum following repeated leaks of major entrance examinations for medical colleges and government jobs, triggering outrage among students and job seekers. Public support grew further after police shifted hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday.
For the past month, protesters identifying themselves as “cockroaches” have been camping at Jantar Mantar, joined by members of several student organisations. They are demanding the resignation of the education minister, reforms to the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the exam paper leaks.
Government shows signs of engagement
Although senior ministers have largely dismissed the movement, Monday saw the first indication of possible dialogue. A representative of the protesters said movement leaders met Health Minister J.P. Nadda, though the government had not confirmed the meeting.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk appealed for permission to temporarily leave the hospital and participate in the march.
In a handwritten note, he said he would end his nearly three-week hunger strike only if the government accepted responsibility for failures in the education system and the exam paper leaks, or if protesters were allowed to reach Parliament and lawmakers agreed to raise the issue in both Houses.
Growing political challenge
The demonstrations have emerged as one of the most significant public challenges to Modi’s government during its third term, attracting support from opposition parties, rights groups and several Bollywood personalities.
Critics say the government has increasingly restricted space for dissent, pointing to arrests of activists and forceful police action against demonstrators.
Among the protesters was yoga instructor Jyoti Rajput, who said she joined the movement because authorities had failed to address students' concerns.
Many participants said the campaign has evolved beyond the issue of examination leaks into a broader demand for transparency, accountability and greater responsiveness from the government.
“I voted for this government, so I believe it is accountable to answer our questions,” protester Sneha Eppili said. “That is the basic right I deserve.”