India’s youth-led Cockroach movement has vowed to continue nationwide protests after a police crackdown on demonstrators marching toward Parliament intensified calls for education reforms and government accountability.
Hundreds of protesters remained at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site under heavy police presence, insisting they would not leave until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged failures in India’s examination system.
The movement, which began as a satirical response to remarks about India’s youth, has expanded beyond students to include professionals, families and civil society groups. Organizers say they are demanding examination reforms, greater transparency and compensation for families of students affected by alleged exam irregularities.
The protests gained further momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital by police during a hunger strike and videos showing clashes between protesters and police circulated widely online. Delhi Police said nearly 180 people were injured, including 118 security personnel and about 60 protesters.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and several Congress lawmakers also staged a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in support of the movement before being detained by police. Amnesty International criticized the police response, saying it raised concerns about the suppression of peaceful dissent.
