- Cockroach Janta Party has halted its marches following police violence during a protest where over 10,000 people attempted to march to parliament, citing safety concerns for their supporters.
- CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated, "We will not march again because the police will hurt the youth again," emphasizing the group's decision to pause street protests.
- During the protest, 150 protesters were injured as police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, leading to widespread condemnation.
- The CJP continues to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for issues within the education system.
- The protests were sparked by a controversial exam leak that forced 2.2 million aspiring doctors to retake their exams, reportedly leading to at least 12 student suicides.
- The CJP is also calling for 10 million rupees ($104,000) in compensation for families of students who took their own lives after the exam leak.
- The movement, which began as a satirical online campaign, has rapidly gained traction, mobilizing thousands in protests against the government.
India's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has halted its marches in New Delhi after violent clashes with police left nearly 180 injured, including 150 protesters. The CJP, which emerged from a satirical online movement, is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over flaws in the education system.1
The protests escalated on Monday when over 10,000 supporters attempted to march to parliament, leading to a violent police response that included tear gas and batons. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated, “We will not march again because the police will hurt the youth again.”2
The movement gained momentum after a controversial exam leak forced 2.2 million aspiring doctors to retake their tests, reportedly contributing to at least 12 student suicides. The CJP is calling for 10 million rupees ($104,000) compensation for each affected family and an overhaul of the education system.56
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have shown solidarity with the protesters, demanding accountability from the government. Gandhi stated, “We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday.”
Rights group Amnesty International condemned the police actions, highlighting the suppression of peaceful dissent in India. The CJP's protests reflect a growing discontent among India's youth, who are increasingly vocal about their demands for change.
“The movement emerged after a Supreme Court judge likened unemployed youth to cockroaches and a medical exam leak that forced 2.2 million students to retake the test, contributing to at least 12 suicides. The CJP is demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and ₹10 million ($104,000) compensation for each family of students who died.”
AP News
BBC
