Thousands of Indian youths have been taking to the streets in cities across the country, voicing their discontent with a government accused of failing to stem corruption in India's education system. The protests, dubbed by opponents as "cockroach" demonstrations – a term reportedly coined by an Indian judge last year – are gaining momentum, putting Prime Minister Narendra Modi under growing pressure to take decisive action.
In his first public comments on the burgeoning movement, Mr Modi stated on X that he would establish "fast track courts" to expedite the punishment of officials responsible for leaking examination papers. This pledge comes as a response to widespread anger over alleged corruption within India's education system, with thousands of students affected by recent exam paper leaks.
A core demand of the protest movement is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with estimates suggesting around 50,000 people participated in protests in Delhi earlier this week. Despite police denying permission for a march on Parliament and employing baton charges and tear gas, the protesters have vowed to continue their demonstration, with over 1,000 individuals remaining at the protest site in central Delhi.
Mr Modi's statement follows indications that the government may be softening its initial stance, but they have yet to address the key demand for Mr Pradhan's resignation. Volunteers are managing donations of food and water, distributing provisions, fanning those affected by the heat, and overseeing litter collection at the protest site in Jantar Mantar.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi escalated the political rhetoric on Wednesday, demanding not only Mr Pradhan's resignation but also an apology from Mr Modi for the government's perceived failure to ensure a fair education system. Mr Gandhi highlighted that India has experienced 152 exam paper leaks over the past decade, yet without a single conviction.
The protest movement appears to be hardening its resolve, particularly following the police crackdown earlier in the week. CJP leaders expressed profound disappointment after a meeting with Health Minister J. P. Nadda – their first in over 60 days – yielded no concrete outcomes. Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP founder, has dismissed Mr Modi's promise as "too little, too late," and insisted that they will not be satisfied until their key demands are met.