‘Won’t back down’: Indian student protesters return after police crackdown

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that student-led protesters in New Delhi returned to their protest site after a police crackdown on a march toward India’s parliament on Monday, July 20. The outlet said thousands of demonstrators, largely students, had gathered to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged entrance-exam paper leaks and grading failures. More than 100 students were injured when police used tear gas and force as protesters reached near parliament, according to the report.

The demonstrations are being organized in part by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, a political pressure group, with protesters based near Jantar Mantar. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke told supporters that the movement would continue until Pradhan resigned. Al Jazeera reported that more than 100 protesters from student unions had been sleeping at the site for nearly a month alongside activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on hunger strike. Police previously removed Wangchuk to a government-run hospital; his family and the CJP described that as illegal detention, while the Delhi High Court declined immediate relief.

According to Al Jazeera, CJP representatives met Health Minister JP Nadda before the march and presented demands including Pradhan’s resignation, Wangchuk’s discharge and compensation for families of students who died by suicide. Nadda said the meeting was cordial and urged protesters to end their sit-in. Delhi police have filed at least five criminal cases linked to alleged violence, stone-throwing and vandalism.

The unrest matters because it reflects widening anger among young Indians over access to education, exam integrity and government accountability. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said the movement faces major challenges but could deepen criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of dissent.