Cockroach Janta Party: Thousands gather to attempt a march to Parliament

Key Points:

• Thousands of supporters of the youth-led Cockroach movement marched to India’s Parliament in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan despite police denying permission for the protest.
• Police surrounded the protest site at Jantar Mantar and used batons against some demonstrators attempting to breach barricades, raising the risk of confrontation.
• The Cockroach Janta Party, formed after a Supreme Court chief justice’s “cockroaches” remark about unemployed youth, has gained momentum amid public outrage over repeated leaks of medical and government job entrance exams.
• Protesters, including hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk, demand reforms to the examination system, compensation for families of students who died by suicide due to paper leaks, and accountability from the government.
• While the government initially took a hard line, there are signs of outreach as movement leaders reportedly met with Health Minister J.P. Nadda, though senior officials continue to resist negotiations, framing the protests as anti-national.