India's Cockroach movement supporters dig in after police crackdown

Key Points:

• Supporters of India’s youth-led Cockroach movement continue their sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged failures in the examination system, despite police using tear gas and batons to disperse them.
• The movement, which began as a satirical protest, has grown into a nationwide youth-led campaign addressing exam leaks, unemployment, and government accountability, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government amid concerns over its handling of dissent.
• Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress party lawmakers staged a sit-in outside Modi’s residence, demanding answers for the police brutality against protesters, signaling an escalation in political opposition.
• Police reported nearly 180 injuries during clashes, including both protesters and security personnel, while videos of police violence have sparked public outrage and increased support for the movement.
• Despite government attempts to engage with the protesters, including talks with a senior minister, activists demand concrete actions such as Pradhan’s resignation and reforms, with Amnesty International criticizing the suppression of peaceful dissent.