‘Cockroaches won’: India’s youth protest leaders declare victory as minister resigns

Key Points:

• India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called off nationwide protests after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and the government accepted key demands related to an exam paper leak scandal.
• The government agreed to drop all police cases against protesters, compensate families of students who died by suicide following the leaks, and consider reforms to the examination system proposed by the CJP.
• The CJP, initially an online parody movement, became a major youth-led protest against the government’s handling of the NEET medical entrance exam paper leaks, which sparked widespread demonstrations across multiple Indian cities.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the seriousness of the paper leak scandal and announced fast-track courts for prosecution, but protesters had deemed his response insufficient prior to the minister’s resignation.
• Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike following negotiations, calling the minister’s resignation a victory for peace and perseverance, as celebrations erupted among students and activists nationwide.