India youth group says will not march again because police will 'hurt youth'

India's youth-led "Cockroach" movement announced Tuesday it will continue its protests but will no longer march after clashes with police left scores of supporters injured. The group has become a significant challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

The movement, which began as online satire, has gained millions of Gen Z supporters demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The calls for his dismissal stem from examination paper leaks that impacted over two million students in May.

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We had to call off the protest yesterday because we did not want more youth to be injured.

On Monday, thousands of protesters marched toward parliament in New Delhi. Delhi Police reported that nearly 180 people were injured, including 60 protesters and 118 security personnel, during the confrontations. Police also detained 70 protesters, stating legal action would follow.

"We had to call off the protest yesterday because we did not want more youth to be injured," said CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. "We will not march again because the police will hurt the youth again," he added, claiming over 150 protesters required hospital treatment. Reuters could not independently verify the number of injured.

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We will not march again because the police will hurt the youth again.