Hundreds Defy Police Ban as India's 'Cockroach Movement' Marches on Parliament

Hundreds of supporters of India's youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered in New Delhi on Monday, pressing ahead with plans to march to Parliament despite a police ban on the demonstration.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, blaming his ministry for repeated examination paper leaks that have affected millions of students across the country.

The movement has rapidly grown into one of the biggest public challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, attracting millions of followers on social media and drawing widespread support from young people frustrated by corruption, unemployment, and failures in the education system.

Security was tightened around the protest site at Jantar Mantar, with police and paramilitary forces deployed to prevent demonstrators from reaching Parliament as lawmakers opened the monsoon session.

Protesters chanted slogans calling for the resignation of both the education minister and the prime minister, accusing the government of failing to protect the integrity of national examinations.

The movement gained further momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike in support of the campaign, was taken to a hospital by police over the weekend. In a handwritten note released on Monday, Wangchuk said he would end his fast if the government accepted responsibility for the examination scandals or if Parliament agreed to address the protesters' demands.

The CJP was formed after a nationwide medical entrance examination was hit by a major question paper leak, forcing more than two million candidates to retake the test. Since then, the movement has expanded to highlight broader concerns over youth unemployment and corruption in India's competitive examination system.

Government figures show unemployment among Indians aged 15 to 29 remains significantly higher than the national average, adding to growing frustration among young people.

The protest marks a major test for the Modi government as it faces increasing pressure from students and youth groups demanding accountability and reforms in the country's education system.

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