India's youth-led "cockroach" movement has urged authorities to release all detained demonstrators. The movement's nationwide protests previously led to the resignation of the education minister.
The online Cockroach Janta party (CJP), which organised protests concerning exam paper leaks and other irregularities, reported that students are being held in detention, particularly in the states of Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar. The CJP accused the government of backtracking on assurances that no punitive action would be taken against protesters.
Ashutosh Ranka, a CJP spokesperson, stated that if the government does not honour the agreement and release those detained or arrested, they will be compelled to resume protests. This follows the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as education minister two days prior, due to repeated failures in competitive exam conduct.
While the Indian government has not issued an official statement, Bihar police announced late on Monday evening that "no adverse legal action" would be initiated against any protester and confirmed the immediate release of those arrested or detained in Bihar state.
The CJP claims at least 100 people have been arrested across the country, with many facing stringent non-bailable charges. The party has established a legal fund to assist protesters implicated in criminal cases.