Delhi Protesters Face Police Crackdown as 'Cockroach' Movement Grows

Hundreds of students assembled at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demanding reforms in the country’s exam system. The youth‑led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a march that police had banned, but the protest persisted and escalated into violence.

Police deployed batons and tear gas, leaving about sixty protesters wounded. The Delhi Police reported injuries to 118 officers and detained 70 demonstrators, while the CJP accused the authorities of brutal tactics.

The CJP’s leader Abhijeet Dipke said in a post that he had “apologised to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten by male police officers.” He highlighted that an injured supporter was in critical condition.

The protest was sparked by allegations of leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The exam, which attracted over 2.28 million candidates, was cancelled a few days later after reports of leaked papers, and a re‑test was held weeks later.

More than 20 student suicides have been linked to the scandal, with families blaming the ministry for what they say was a harrowing ordeal. The CJP demands moral accountability and the resignation of the minister.

As the movement grows, the spotlight will remain on the conflict between the police and the demonstrators. The violence has been captured in multiple videos that now circulate widely on social media, depicting both sides of the confrontation.