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Thousands of youth-led protesters marched toward Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, July 20, demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid widespread anger over recurring competitive examination leaks. Delhi police estimated the crowd at approximately 10,000 demonstrators, deploying barricades and batons at Jantar Mantar as tensions escalated on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
The Origins of the Cockroach Movement
The protest stems from a political communications movement launched in May, following remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a contempt petition hearing. According to court proceedings, the Chief Justice compared unemployed youth who become activists attacking public figures to “cockroaches.” Rather than deflating the demographic, political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke embraced the remark, creating the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical platform for unemployed and online youth. The movement quickly attracted millions of social media followers, evolving into a severe political challenge for Prime Minister Modi’s third term.
NEET Exam Irregularities and Student Suicides
At the core of the unrest is the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India’s standardized medical entrance examination. The Ministry of Education scrapped the May 3 exam after uncovering widespread paper leaks and administrative irregularities. More than two million candidates competed for fewer than 130,000 medical college seats, facing intense financial pressure and debt from coaching center fees. The Cockroach Janta Party reported that student suicides related to the crisis rose from 11 prior to a June 20 rally to 29, prompting open letters to the Prime Minister demanding compensation for affected families.
Government Response and Activist Detentions
Speaking to NDTV, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan labeled the Cockroach Janta Party the “B-team of terror groups” and dismissed participants as disruptive elements rejected by voters. The immediate catalyst for Monday’s march was the court-ordered removal of 60-year-old social activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday, July 18. Wangchuk had maintained a hunger strike since June 28 demanding Pradhan’s resignation before a court-ordered hospital transfer for his deteriorating health triggered broader public outrage and galvanized the Jantar Mantar turnout.
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