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Indian police fire tear gas, baton charge exam protesters
🇮🇪 Ireland /Culture & Society

Indian police fire tear gas, baton charge exam protesters

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Indian police used tear gas and batons to disperse student protesters marching on parliament in New Delhi.
  • The demonstrators demanded the education minister's resignation over alleged irregularities in major exams, including paper leaks and technical glitches.
  • The protest, organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, highlights widespread anger over the education system and unemployment.

Indian police deployed tear gas and batons against protesters in New Delhi as they attempted to march on parliament, demanding the education minister's resignation over widespread exam irregularities. The demonstrators, primarily young students, scattered as police advanced near Jantar Mantar, protesting against alleged question paper leaks and technical failures in major examinations.

Thousands of students gathered despite monsoon rains and police barricades, marking one of the largest demonstrations in the capital in five years. The protest follows the recent detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 20 days in support of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement. The CJP has gained significant traction on social media, resonating with public frustration over the education system and high unemployment rates.

Is this a war zone? Why is the police resorting to tear gas assault on peaceful protesters?

— Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)The CJP voiced its criticism of the police's actions against demonstrators on social media platform X.

"Is this a war zone? Why is the police resorting to tear gas assault on peaceful protesters?" the CJP posted on X. The movement is viewed as a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. Despite India's economic growth, many citizens struggle to find well-paying jobs, fueling discontent.

Recent exam scandals include a re-examination for 2.2 million medical students after a paper leak and issues with the online marking system for nearly two million secondary school students. The CJP reported that its leaders met a senior minister to submit their demands after the government initiated contact. Internet services were disrupted in parts of New Delhi, with police citing a lack of permission for the protest. Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government's response in parliament, stating, "The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away."

Thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar. The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away.

— Mallikarjun KhargeAn opposition leader commented on the situation in parliament, criticizing the government's handling of the protests.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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