Thousands gather near parliament while organisers accuse authorities of using force
NEW DELHI: Police in New Delhi stopped supporters of the youth-led “Cockroach” movement from marching towards India’s parliament on Monday after authorities denied permission for the demonstration, escalating tensions on the opening day of the monsoon session.
Thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar despite heavy security, demanding action over alleged examination paper leaks and calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Demonstrators also chanted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Reuters, television footage showed police using batons against some protesters in barricaded areas. Protest organisers also alleged that security personnel fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. However, Delhi Police denied using force and said officers were handling the situation professionally.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said the designated protest site had reached capacity, with around 10,000 people present, raising concerns about public safety.
Movement gains momentum
The protest intensified after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since late June, was moved to hospital by authorities on Saturday. In a handwritten message released from hospital, Wangchuk said he would end his fast if the government accepted responsibility for recent failures in the education system or allowed protesters to present their concerns before parliament.
Meanwhile, movement leaders said they remained open to dialogue. Chief spokesperson Saurav Das confirmed that representatives held brief talks with Health Minister JP Nadda regarding the protesters’ demands.
Growing frustration among youth
The movement began after allegations of medical entrance examination paper leaks affected millions of students. Since then, it has expanded into a broader campaign highlighting concerns over corruption, examination integrity and youth unemployment.
Organisers also claimed that movement founder Abhijeet Dipke was taken into police custody during the protests, although authorities did not immediately comment on the claim.
The demonstrations have attracted significant public attention and growing political interest, reflecting wider concerns among many young Indians about employment opportunities, transparency in competitive examinations and accountability within the education system.
