India’s ‘Cockroach Movement’ Erupts: Thousands March on Parliament Demanding Education Minister’s Resignation
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of New Delhi on Monday in one of the largest youth-led demonstrations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) marched toward Parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The movement, which began as a satirical response to a controversial remark comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches,” has evolved into a nationwide campaign against repeated examination paper leaks, particularly the 2026 NEET medical entrance exam scandal and other alleged education irregularities. Protesters accuse the government of failing millions of students and are calling for sweeping reforms to India’s education system.
Police used tear gas, batons, and barricades to stop demonstrators from reaching Parliament, leading to clashes and numerous detentions. Despite the crackdown, many protesters regrouped and continued marching in smaller groups across the capital.
The demonstrations have also been energized by activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose prolonged hunger strike has become a symbol of the movement. Protest leaders are demanding his release, accountability for alleged exam-related failures, compensation for affected families, and the resignation of the education minister.
While the government has begun limited talks with protest representatives, no commitment has been made to meet the protesters’ core demands, and organizers have vowed to continue nationwide demonstrations until meaningful action is taken.