Members of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protested at Jantar Mantar in central New Delhi to demand action on exam-paper leaks [1, 2].
The demonstration highlights growing frustration among India's youth regarding the integrity of national examinations and the perceived failure of government oversight.
Protesters called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and set a seven-day deadline for the government to act on the leaks [1]. The gathering escalated as Delhi Police used lathi-charges, tear gas, and batons to disperse thousands of protesters [2].
The clashes resulted in injuries to hundreds of protesters and police officers [3]. During the unrest, activist Abhijeet Dipke confronted officers at the site [1, 2].
Dipke had been on a 20-day hunger strike before he was taken to a hospital [4]. Reports regarding his status varied following the incident. One source said that police forcibly transferred the activist to a hospital as his health deteriorated [4], while the movement later said its founder was not in detention or under arrest [5].
Dipke said there would be no further march for now because police would hurt youth again [3]. The CJP continues to push for systemic changes to the examination process to prevent future leaks, and ensure fair competition for students.
“Police used tear-gas and batons to disperse thousands of protesters”
The emergence of the Cockroach Janta Party as a vehicle for student grievances signals a shift toward more aggressive, youth-led political mobilization in India. By linking exam-paper leaks to a demand for ministerial resignation, the movement is framing technical administrative failures as a broader crisis of government accountability.
