Police used tear gas to disperse supporters of India’s Cockroach movement, who marched on Parliament demanding the resignation of the education minister amid rising tensions with the government.
In a significant confrontation between demonstrators and authorities, police in New Delhi deployed tear gas and batons to halt a march by supporters of India’s youth-led Cockroach movement on Monday. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while the government appeared to initiate its first outreach to the movement’s leaders.
The police action occurred as thousands of demonstrators attempted to breach security barricades surrounding the protest site in central New Delhi. This marked one of the most serious confrontations in the movement’s ongoing campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Despite the crackdown, many protesters continued to march toward Parliament in smaller groups.
Saurav Das, a spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, accused authorities of “brutally cracking down” on what he described as “peaceful protesters.” The Delhi Police maintained that the march had not been authorized and that restrictions were necessary to maintain law and order around Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session.
The gathering at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site located just a few kilometers from Parliament, included a diverse crowd of students, professionals, and families with young children. As the day progressed, the crowd spilled beyond the protest site, filling surrounding streets and roads.
Many demonstrators came prepared for a long day, carrying backpacks filled with water and food. Others waved Indian flags as chants against the education minister and Prime Minister Modi echoed through the growing crowd.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which emerged in May, was inspired by a controversial remark made by the Supreme Court chief justice, who compared some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” during an unrelated hearing. Supporters embraced this comment, transforming it into a satirical movement that has since attracted millions of followers on social media.
The movement gained momentum following repeated leaks of high-stakes entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs, which sparked widespread public anger. It drew further attention after police forcibly removed hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital on Saturday.
Protesters identifying as “cockroaches” have camped at Jantar Mantar for the past month, with various student groups joining Wangchuk’s hunger strike. Thousands of supporters have also participated in rallies at universities and other cities, demanding the resignation of the education minister, reforms to the examination system, and compensation for families of students who have died by suicide following exam paper leaks.
As tensions escalated, senior leaders in Modi’s government maintained a hardline stance against the movement. Pradhan accused the protesters of acting against the nation, while other ministers acknowledged students’ concerns but insisted there was no need for dialogue or negotiations with the movement.
However, a shift appeared to occur on Monday when representatives of the Cockroach movement held talks with Health Minister J.P. Nadda. This marked the first sign of government outreach to the protest leaders, who sought to bring their demands directly to lawmakers. In response, authorities tightened security around the parliamentary complex.
Das, who met with Nadda, reported that he presented the protesters’ demands, including the immediate resignation or removal of the education minister. Separately, activist Wangchuk requested permission to leave the hospital temporarily to join the march.
In a handwritten note, he stated that he would end his nearly three-week hunger strike only if the government took responsibility for failures in the education system and exam paper leaks, or if protesters were allowed to reach Parliament and lawmakers pledged to address these issues in both Houses.
The protests pose a significant challenge to Modi’s government, which is currently in its third term. The movement has garnered support from opposition parties, rights activists, and some Bollywood celebrities. Protesters argue that the space for dissent has diminished under Modi, whose administration has faced criticism for suppressing public protests, jailing activists, and employing forceful police crackdowns.
Jyoti Rajput, a yoga teacher participating in the protests, expressed her frustration, stating, “This rotten system refuses to take action. 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 participants voiced their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a lack of transparency and responsiveness from elected leaders.
Sneha Eppili, a 26-year-old protester, emphasized the importance of accountability, saying, “I voted for this government, so I think it’s accountable to answer our questions. That’s the basic human right that I deserve.”
As the Cockroach movement continues to gain traction, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the mounting demands for reform and accountability.
According to The Associated Press.