Tens of thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement, clashed with police in New Delhi on Monday during one of the largest anti-government demonstrations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the capital in recent years. Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd as demonstrators marched toward parliament, resulting in nearly 180 injuries, according to Delhi Police, including 60 protesters and 118 security personnel.
Demands for Ministerial Resignation
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged failures and mismanagement within India’s examination system. Specifically, the movement cites recruitment scandals and the leak of highly competitive entrance examinations for government jobs and medical colleges. One such high-profile alleged leak led to the cancellation of a national entrance test for medical students, affecting 2.3 million aspiring doctors, according to reports from aol.com.
The CJP is also calling for comprehensive examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following alleged exam irregularities. Founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that the minister has the blood of more than 17 students on his hands,
referencing reports that at least 12 prospective students committed suicide between the May cancellation of the medical National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test and the retakes on June 21.
Origins of the “Cockroach” Movement
The movement began in May after India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant compared some unemployed young people to “cockroaches” during an unrelated hearing. According to apnews.com, the remark sparked an online backlash that led Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke to launch the Cockroach Janta Party. Young Indians adopted the cockroach as a symbol of resilience, and the campaign quickly grew to attract between 21 million and 22 million Instagram followers.
While it started as a satirical online joke, the movement evolved into a nationwide campaign focused on government accountability, unemployment, and economic pressures. It transitioned to a street presence in June when Dipke returned to India from the U.S. to organize protests across university campuses and cities.
Government Response and Escalation
Tensions escalated further on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, when opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and dozens of Congress party lawmakers staged a sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Modi’s residence. Gandhi used the platform X to demand answers for the brutalities against young students
that occurred the previous day, with some lawmakers seen fastening zip ties around their wrists.
Current Status of Protests
Despite the police crackdown, hundreds of protesters remain camped at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi. Protesters, including 20-year-old student Sona Bisht, have stated they will not move until their demands are met. The movement has expanded to include professionals and families; some supporters have even used online food delivery services to send meals to those at the protest sites.
The crackdown included the suspension of mobile internet around the protest site on Monday. Amnesty International stated the police action demonstrates how peaceful dissent is being suppressed in India,
asserting that the right to freedom of peaceful assembly is recognized under the Indian constitution, as reported by kvpr.org.
