Police arrest Indian opposition leader Gandhi as protests continue to grow
Indian police arrested opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during a sit-in outside Prime Minister Modi's residence as part of an escalating crackdown on the student-led "Cockroach" protests. The movement, which has expanded beyond students to include professionals and families, demands educational reform and government accountability.
Indian authorities arrested opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday evening as he participated in a sit-in demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. The protest was organised to challenge the government's aggressive response to ongoing student-led demonstrations demanding educational reform and increased government accountability.
Gandhi and other opposition figures were detained and transported to a nearby police station. Prior to his arrest, Gandhi had publicly called for the resignation of Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing their roles in the crackdown against protesters. His sister and fellow Indian National Congress party member, Priyanka Gandhi, was also among those arrested. Footage from the scene appeared to show protesters attempting to shield Gandhi as police apprehended him, with reports suggesting he sustained injuries during the detention.
The arrests occurred as the "Cockroach" movement, which emerged as a satirical protest two months ago following a Supreme Court judge's controversial characterisation of Indian youth, continued to expand and gain momentum. The movement has evolved beyond its student origins to encompass professionals and families, representing one of the most significant public challenges to Modi's government in recent years. On Monday, police employed tear gas and physical force against thousands of protesters marching toward parliament, generating widespread public sympathy.
Thousands gathered at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, on Tuesday under heavy police surveillance, declaring their intention to remain until the education minister resigns over alleged failures in India's examination system. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, stated the movement would persist. Gandhi asserted on social media that Modi must resign for "destroying the future of India's youth" and criticised the government for refusing accountability and parliamentary debate on the issues.
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