Police with rubber bullets and tear gas dispersed Indian "crustaceans" during a march on parliament

In New Delhi, thousands of protesters affiliated with the "Cockroach" movement gathered outside Parliament on Monday, demanding the resignation of India’s Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstration, part of a broader campaign against government corruption, escalated into a confrontation with police who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, which had not been granted a permit. The clash marked one of the most intense confrontations between demonstrators and authorities during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term in office. The protest was organized by the "Cockroach" movement, known locally as Janta Party (CJP), which emerged following revelations of leaked exam papers for the national medical entrance test. Over two million students were forced to retake the exams due to the scandal, sparking widespread frustration among young Indians. Protesters marched toward Parliament, chanting slogans such as “Pradhan, resign!” and “Modi, resign!” They accused both the education minister and the prime minister of complicity in systemic corruption and educational malpractice. According to reports from Associated Press, police deployed tear gas and water cannons after protesters attempted to breach security barriers near the protest site in central New Delhi. Despite the forceful dispersal, some smaller groups continued their march toward Parliament. The police detained the founder of the movement, Abhijeet Dipke, while two other leaders met with Health Minister J. P. Nadda. In a post on social media platform X, the group’s main press spokesperson, Saurav Das, stated that they submitted a written request for action, and the minister assured them the issue would be addressed internally within the administration. The "Cockroach" movement has become one of the largest public challenges to Modi’s government, gaining millions of followers on social media platforms and mobilizing supporters on the streets. The protests have intensified in recent weeks, particularly after activists staged hunger strikes and were forcibly taken to hospitals by police. On Saturday, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been fasting, was reportedly taken to a hospital under police custody, drawing large crowds of supporters to the protest site overnight before the start of the monsoon session of parliament. Security forces were heavily deployed around the protest area, with barricades erected to prevent unauthorized access. Demonstrators, many of whom were students preparing for competitive exams, expressed anger over repeated scandals involving leaked exam questions and irregularities in testing procedures. A 21-year-old student from Meerut, Adi Nathan, told reporters, “All these officials in power are uneducated. I’m here because we don’t want exam questions leaking to the public.” Another protester, Mohamed Tabrez from Uttar Pradesh, emphasized the need to end corruption, stating, “We want an end to all this cheating with leaked exam papers and unfair practices in competitive exams. That’s why I came.” Initially, the "Cockroach" movement gained traction primarily online, amassing nearly 22 million followers on Instagram within days. It later expanded its influence onto the ground, securing support from some opposition parties. The movement began with protests led by Dipke and his supporters last month, calling for Pradhan’s resignation. Analysts suggest the rise of the movement reflects growing discontent among Indian youth, fueled by high youth unemployment and recurring scandals related to academic integrity. As the situation continues to evolve, the government faces mounting pressure to address concerns over transparency in education and governance. With protests intensifying and public sentiment shifting, the outcome of this ongoing struggle could shape the political landscape in the coming months.