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

Thousands of protesters marched on India's parliament on Monday, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged corruption and leaks in national entrance exams. The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement, seen as a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, organized the march despite police using tear gas and cane charges to disperse crowds.

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

The protesters' demands include the resignation of Pradhan, compensation for students who died by suicide following the exam leaks, and the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike. The leaks for a medical school entrance test in May affected approximately 2 million students, leading to widespread anger and accusations of deep-seated corruption in the education system.

Health Minister JP Nadda stated that the government would consider the movement's demands and had received a memorandum from its leaders. He appealed to protesters to end their demonstration and help restore normalcy. However, Reuters reporters observed young people streaming towards the protest site, with police barricades causing traffic disruptions in central Delhi. One 21-year-old student expressed frustration, stating, "All these leaders in power are illiterate and I am here to protest because we do not want question papers to leak."

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

The movement's surge in popularity reflects broader frustrations among Indian youth, including job shortages and frequent exam leaks. While Delhi police denied using force, claiming the protest was handled professionally, television images showed some protesters being subjected to cane charges.

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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.