Fresh violence at Delhi youth protest demanding minister's resignation

New Delhi witnessed renewed clashes between youth protesters and police late Wednesday as demonstrators demanded the resignation of the education minister over alleged exam paper leaks.

Thousands of protesters, estimated to be over 10,000, converged at the Jantar Mantar protest site and outside parliament. The movement, self-styled as the "Cockroach" movement, has been ongoing for a month and centers on exam irregularities that impacted approximately 2 million students in May.

Police deployed tear gas and wielded batons to disperse the crowds, which had grown significantly by late evening and spilled onto surrounding roads. Some protesters reportedly threw stones and plastic bottles, injuring several officers. Videos circulating online showed the confrontations, though Reuters could not independently verify them.

This protest marks one of the most substantial youth-led challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration since he took office in 2014. Opposition parties have aligned with the protesters' demands, disrupting parliamentary proceedings. The government has engaged in one round of talks with the protesters and assured consideration of their demands, also offering reforms to the exam system. However, the protesters remain firm, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stating their resolve to continue until the minister resigns, regardless of the duration.

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It has been 25 days so far. Even if it takes 25 months, that is acceptable, but we will not move from here.