Indian police fire tear gas, baton charge exam protesters

Indian police used tear gas and baton charges against protesters in New Delhi on Monday as demonstrators marched toward parliament to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities. The confrontation unfolded near Jantar Mantar, a historic site in the city’s heart, as thousands of activists and supporters of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attempted to stage one of the largest protests in the capital in five years. The protest began in earnest early Monday despite heavy monsoon rain and police barriers. Protesters, primarily young students, gathered in defiance of authorities, driven by frustration over issues ranging from educational corruption to high youth unemployment. Their demands center on the resignation of Pradhan, who faces accusations of negligence linked to recent controversies involving major national examinations. These include allegations of leaked question papers and technical failures in online grading systems, which have sparked nationwide outrage among students and educators alike. The unrest follows the forced hospitalization of prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday, ending his 20-day hunger strike in support of the CJP movement. The party, launched in May, has gained millions of followers on social media by highlighting systemic failures in India’s education sector and the lack of employment opportunities for graduates. Its influence has grown significantly, positioning it as a notable challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist agenda, especially after his re-election in 2024. During the protest, police deployed tear gas and physical force to disperse crowds, leading to clashes and arrests. Internet access was restricted in parts of central New Delhi, with authorities citing unauthorized gatherings as justification. “Any person violating these prohibitory orders shall be liable for prosecution,” stated Delhi Police in a formal notice. Despite the crackdown, some 2.2 million medical aspirants had already taken a re-examination under heightened security measures following the cancellation of the initial test due to a leaked question paper. This incident added to a series of scandals affecting the credibility of India’s examination system, particularly the online marking process for nearly two million secondary school students. The CJP leadership reportedly met with a senior minister earlier in the day, submitting a formal letter outlining their grievances after receiving a government invitation. However, the meeting did not prevent the escalation of tensions. Opposition leaders, including Congress party figure Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns in parliamentary sessions, criticizing the government for using force against peaceful demonstrators and suppressing dissent. In the upper house, Kharge accused the administration of attempting to silence student voices, while opposition members in the lower house echoed similar calls for the resignation of the education minister and greater accountability. As the protest concluded, many demonstrators dispersed amid ongoing police presence, though the situation remains volatile. With growing public dissatisfaction over educational reforms and job market conditions, the incident underscores deepening societal frustrations in a rapidly developing nation. The government’s response will likely shape future developments, both politically and socially, as the debate over transparency and governance continues to gain momentum.