India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement camps out until education minister resigns

Key Points:

• The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a Gen Z political movement in India, is protesting in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks and unfair exam practices.
• Led by Abhijeet Dipke, a recent Boston University graduate, the movement has grown rapidly from social media satire to street protests across multiple cities, drawing widespread youth support amid growing frustration.
• The protests follow the cancellation and rescheduling of a major medical entrance exam after a leak, which has caused stress and suicides among students, intensifying calls for government accountability.
• Despite police efforts to disperse the demonstrators, including restricting food and water, protesters remain camped at the Jantar Mantar site, vowing to continue until the education minister resigns.
• The movement reflects broader discontent among India's youth, who have only known Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, and challenges the government's handling of education and youth issues.