India’s ‘cockroach movement’ leaders say minister promises talks on demands

Thousands of Indian youth, frustrated by widespread exam paper leaks and alleged corruption in education, marched on parliament Monday. The protest, led by the "Cockroach Janta Party" movement, is the most significant public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government since he began his third term.

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Quit, quit. Dharmendra Pradhan quit, Narendra Modi quit.

The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing the leak of papers for a national medical school entrance test. This leak forced millions of students to retake the exam, and reports indicate at least 12 have died by suicide as a result. Protesters also seek 1 million rupees ($104,000) in compensation for each student who took their own life.

Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds in New Delhi, while similar protests occurred in Mumbai and Bangalore, where demonstrators were detained. In Goa, a candlelight vigil was held. Despite the crackdown, the movement gained traction, amplified by social media and opposition party support.

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All these leaders in power are illiterate and I am here to protest because we do not want question papers to leak. This should come to an end.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda acknowledged the demands, with movement spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stating on X that Nadda promised the government would review their concerns. Nadda appealed for protesters to end their sit-in and help restore normalcy, noting that a memorandum had been submitted after verbal discussions.

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I appealed to all the protesters to end their sit-in and help the administration restore normalcy.