Photos: Police fire tear gas at India’s Cockroach movement supporters
Police in New Delhi used tear gas and batons against thousands of Cockroach movement supporters attempting to march to Parliament, demanding the education minister's resignation over examination leaks. The youth-led movement, which emerged in May, has grown significantly following repeated high-stakes exam paper leaks.
Thousands of supporters of India's Cockroach movement clashed with police in central New Delhi as they attempted to march toward Parliament to demand the resignation of the education minister. Law enforcement deployed tear gas and charged protesters with batons after they tried to breach security barriers surrounding the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar, located approximately two kilometers from Parliament. The gathering included students, professionals, and families with young children.
The Cockroach Janta Party emerged in May after India's chief justice made a remark comparing unemployed young people to cockroaches during an unrelated court proceeding. Supporters transformed the comment into a satirical movement that has accumulated millions of social media followers. The movement gained momentum following multiple leaks of critical entrance examinations for medical colleges and government positions, sparking widespread public frustration.
Protests intensified after police forcibly transferred hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital on Saturday. Demonstrators have maintained a presence at Jantar Mantar for the past month, with student groups participating in Wangchuk's hunger strike. Beyond the capital, thousands have participated in rallies and demonstrations at universities across other cities. Protesters are calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, systemic examination reforms, and financial compensation for families of students who died by suicide following paper leaks.
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