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India’s CJP protests: Why Gen-Z’s political fury is boiling over in Delhi

CNN • July 22, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Large-scale protests led by predominantly Gen-Z activists have erupted in New Delhi against alleged corruption and unfairness in India's national exam system, particularly following leaked medical school entrance exam papers.
The demonstrators faced a violent police crackdown involving tear gas and baton charges near the parliament, resulting in about 150 protesters hospitalized and over 100 police officers injured.
The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), formed in response to perceived government insensitivity toward unemployed youth, has organized the protests and demands systemic reforms to the education system and exam processes.
Despite the unrest and public outrage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key government officials have yet to directly address the protesters' demands, with Modi's administration emphasizing commitments to prevent future exam leaks.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was briefly detained during protests calling for Modi's resignation, reflecting growing political tensions and calls among some protesters for broader governmental change beyond education reform.

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