NEW DELHI: Police in New Delhi detained protesters and used crowd-control measures on Monday as thousands of supporters of the youth-led “cockroach” movement attempted to march toward Parliament despite authorities denying permission for the demonstration.
The protest took place near Jantar Mantar, a designated site for public demonstrations in central Delhi, on the opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session.
What triggered the protest?
The movement began after allegations of leaks in the national medical school entrance examination held in May, which affected more than two million students and forced a retest.
Supporters have since expanded their demands to include action against corruption in competitive examinations and accountability from the government over failures in the education system.
What happened during the march attempt?
Thousands of protesters gathered overnight at Jantar Mantar, with Delhi Police estimating the crowd at around 10,000 by Monday morning.
Television footage showed police restraining and dispersing some demonstrators in a heavily barricaded area. Protesters alleged that police used force against participants, while Delhi Police denied excessive force and said the demonstration was being handled professionally.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said the protest site had reached capacity and warned that overcrowding could create an untoward situation.
What are the protesters demanding?
Demonstrators chanted slogans calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They also demanded stronger safeguards against examination paper leaks and corruption in recruitment and admission processes.
Students who traveled from different parts of Uttar Pradesh said they had joined the protest to demand an end to repeated exam irregularities.
What role is Sonam Wangchuk playing?
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the protest last month and began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28, was moved to a hospital by authorities on Saturday.
In a handwritten note posted on social media from the hospital, Wangchuk said he would end his fast if the government accepted responsibility for failures in the education system and examination leaks, or if lawmakers assured protesters that the issues would be addressed in Parliament.
Why has the movement gained attention?
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement initially gained traction online, amassing millions of followers on social media, before drawing support from some opposition parties and student groups.
Analysts say the protests reflect broader frustrations among young Indians over unemployment and repeated examination paper leak scandals. Government data shows unemployment among Indians aged 15 to 29 stood at 9.9% in 2025, with higher rates in urban areas.