India's Modi government under growing pressure as 'cockroach' protests intensify

What the report says

BBC World News reports that pressure on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has increased as thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, continue demonstrations in Delhi despite heavy rain. The youth-led movement is calling for education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Its main protest base has been at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators have maintained a continuous sit-in.

According to the BBC, the protests escalated after police used batons and tear gas on Monday during a CJP march toward parliament, leaving at least 60 people injured, including protesters and police officers. Police also removed a stage and temporary tents at the protest site. On Tuesday, senior opposition figures, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, marched near the prime minister’s residence to protest the crackdown and demand resignations from Pradhan, Home Minister Amit Shah and Modi. Congress said some of its leaders were detained and later released.

The government and opposition have traded accusations over the handling of the issue. Gandhi said Congress was not allowed to raise the police action in parliament, while Federal Minister Jitendra Singh denied that claim and accused him of shifting demands. Pradhan, in his first comments after the violence, accused Congress of using students for political gain, while saying the government remained committed to reforms and accountability.

The BBC describes the CJP as a satirical political movement that emerged after controversial remarks by India’s chief justice about unemployed young people entering journalism and activism. Though not a registered party, it has drawn large crowds, gained attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined a hunger strike, and inspired protests in several other major Indian cities.