India's Cockroach Janta Party to maintain demonstrations following injuries to dozens in police clashes

Large numbers of demonstrators from Delhi and nearby cities and towns assembled to advance on parliament on Monday as part of a campaign that originated from online humor.

By REUTERS

JULY 21 2026 07:55

Updated: JULY 21 2026 08:40

India's youth-driven cockroach movement announced on Tuesday it would sustain its demonstrations but avoid further marches a day after numerous supporters suffered injuries during confrontations with police who sought to block their advance on parliament.

Delhi Police reported nearly 180 people injured on Monday including 118 security and police personnel along with 60 protesters during clashes in central Delhi.

Thousands of demonstrators from Delhi and nearby cities and towns gathered to advance on parliament on Monday joining a movement that started as online satire but has grown into the largest challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his third term.

The months-old campaign by the self-named Cockroach Janta Party has attracted support from millions of young Gen Z Indians demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks that impacted more than 2 million students in May.

It describes the leaking of papers for a national medical school entrance test in May which required students to retest and led some to take their own lives as evidence of entrenched corruption in education.

Nearly 180 people were injured and taken to nearby state-run hospitals on Monday with most discharged after first aid following clashes between protesters and security personnel in which police employed cane charges and tear gas.

Delhi Police stated that the injured included more than 118 security and police personnel and 60 protesters. Seventy protesters were detained and legal action would follow according to a statement issued late on Monday.

Hundreds of protesters assemble in Delhi opposing Indian Education Minister

Early on Tuesday about 150 to 200 protesters gathered at the Jantar Mantar protest site in central Delhi chanting slogans amid light rain. Security stayed tight with paramilitary forces patrolling parts of central Delhi and barricades impeding traffic.

We had to end the protest yesterday because we did not want additional youth injured CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told a press conference.

We will not march again because the police will harm the youth again he said noting that more than 150 protesters were receiving hospital treatment.

Reuters could not independently confirm that figure.

We could have performed better. I could have performed better to shield you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said in an earlier post on X apologizing to supporters especially girls who he indicated were struck by male police officers.

The movement gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on June 28 but was forcibly taken to a hospital by authorities on Saturday.

They beat us severely and they damaged our protest site Sahil Singh a protester from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh told Reuters. We want accountability through Pradhan's resignation.

On Monday Health Minister J.P. Nadda met two CJP leaders and requested time to address their demands within the government.

The demands include the release of Wangchuk Pradhan's resignation and compensation of 10 million rupees for each student who died by suicide after the leak. About a dozen students took their own lives following the exam paper leak local media reported.

Young Indians frustrated by job shortages and exam leaks

The CJP surge in popularity reflects frustrations among young Indians over job shortages as well as exam leaks which they indicate occur often.

Dipke and his supporters began a sit-in last month seeking Pradhan's resignation. Some opposition leaders and social media influencers also joined the protest on Monday.

Opposition parties criticized the government for employing force against young protesters. Leaders of Modi's party indicated the violence appeared planned.

Analysts said even if the talks succeed in easing the protests the underlying discontent among dissatisfied youngsters could present the most serious challenge to Modi's government ahead.

This is an issue which affects everyone any crackdown against the overwhelmingly peaceful protesters as the government is inclined to do will only serve to increase anger said Pearl Pandya senior analyst for Asia Pacific at conflict monitoring research group ACLED.