The Cockroach Janta Party, a social media-driven protest movement, has sparked widespread unrest across India. Protesters are currently occupying streets in New Delhi, with demonstrations spreading to other major cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. While the movement began over the leak of undergraduate medical examination papers affecting 2.2 million students, it has gained a broader following of Indians of all ages concerned with unemployment, economic opportunity, and government accountability.
The youth-led revolt is specifically demanding the resignation of Education Minister Pradhan. In New Delhi, thousands of protesters have clashed with police during demonstrations. These snowballing protests are now considered one of the biggest challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government since his re-election for a third term in 2024.
Breaking his silence on the movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that those who try to harm the future of the youth will not be spared. He announced the establishment of fast track courts to expedite the punishment of corrupt officials responsible for the leaked examination papers. Modi emphasized that nothing is more important than the welfare and future of India's youth as his government seeks to quell the unrest.