What next for India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement after education minister sacked

A sustained student-led protest movement in New Delhi, organized under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), achieved a significant political victory with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The weeks-long agitation, which occupied protest sites near India's Parliament, represented one of the most substantial challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in recent times. The movement centered on demands for education reforms, compensation for families affected by student suicides linked to exam cancellations and paper leaks, and accountability for police conduct during demonstrations. Following a police crackdown on July 20 that injured over 100 demonstrators, the movement gained widespread national support and expanded its demands to include withdrawal of criminal cases against protesters and an apology from law enforcement agencies. The government agreed to provide compensation to approximately 20 families at the maximum allowable amount under existing regulations, though protesters had sought 10 million rupees per family. The government also assured that no criminal cases would be pursued against protesters in BJP-governed states and committed to withdrawing existing cases. However, arrests continued in several eastern Indian states, with reports indicating at least 11 people arrested in West Bengal and six in Assam for solidarity demonstrations. The government did not publicly address demands for an apology from police and paramilitary forces. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke indicated the movement remained active despite the temporary suspension of street protests.