India's student-led "cockroach" protests enter fourth day demanding education minister's resignation
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4 days · 6 summary articles
The youth-led “cockroach” protest movement in India has entered its fourth day, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand accountability for recent exam paper leaks and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests, which began as an online satire, have gained significant traction and pose a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
The movement, known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), started in May as a response to comments by India's Chief Justice, who likened young Indians to “cockroaches.” The protests were initially focused on the leak of exam papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which affected nearly 2 million students and led to several suicides. However, the movement has since expanded to address broader issues such as youth unemployment, corruption, and the authoritarian policies of Modi's government.
On Friday, Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after talks with government ministers, but the student-led protests continued. Wangchuk, who had been protesting the exam paper leaks, said he broke his fast at the urging of members of parliament and to prevent potential violence. However, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that the protests would continue until Pradhan resigns.
The protests have spread nationwide, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Pradhan and wider reforms. The movement has gained considerable support, with over 22 million followers on social media. The protests represent the biggest youth challenge to Modi since he came to power in 2014.
Prime Minister Modi has promised to crack down on the exam leaks, but protest leaders insist that this is not enough. They demand Pradhan's resignation and broader reforms to address issues affecting young people in India.
The protests have also drawn support from opposition parties, which have disrupted the monsoon session of parliament. The movement's use of humor and self-irony has resonated with young people, who see it as a way to express their frustration with the government's policies.
The Indian Air Force was recently deployed to airlift question papers for the re-test of the NEET exam, highlighting the government's efforts to address the issue. However, many students remain outraged and demand further action.
The protests have been marked by clashes with police, resulting in injuries. Despite this, the movement shows no signs of abating, with nationwide demonstrations planned for Friday in solidarity with students who alleged police brutality during a march on parliament on Monday.
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