India's 'cockroach' protest continues a day after police crackdown

What the report says

BBC World News reports that thousands of people returned to Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Tuesday, a day after police broke up a large protest by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP. The youth-led satirical movement is calling for education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Monday, tens of thousands of demonstrators attempted to march toward parliament despite a police ban, as the monsoon session opened.

According to the BBC, at least 60 protesters were hurt when police used batons and tear gas, while police said 118 officers were injured and 70 protesters were detained. Police also dismantled tents and a stage at the protest site. The Delhi police later accused demonstrators of violent and unlawful conduct, including attacks on officers and damage to property. The CJP rejected that account and said police were responsible for the violence.

The movement has grown around anger over alleged exam paper leaks, especially the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. The BBC reported that nearly 2.28 million candidates took the medical entrance exam on 3 May before it was cancelled after leak reports, with a re-test held later. Protesters say Pradhan should take moral responsibility; he has dismissed the CJP and its backers as disruptive.

The protests have drawn support from opposition parties and public figures, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the sit-in on 28 June and remains on hunger strike in hospital after being removed by police. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the crackdown and led Congress members in a march toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence seeking accountability.