Education Minister Quits as Youth Storm the Streets
In a dramatic turn, the Indian education minister stepped down after students and activists flooded the capital in protest. The resignation came just hours before a third meeting between the government and the Cockroach Janta Party, a group that grew from an online joke to a nationwide movement demanding sweeping reforms.
The leak of exam papers for the competitive NEET medical entrance test sparked outrage last month, and the fallout has turned into one of the country’s biggest public demonstrations in years.
- Cities involved: Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad
- Tactics used: chanting slogans, waving flags, tear gas, batons
- Police response: attempted crowd control near Parliament
The Cockroach Janta Party derived its name from a comment by India’s chief justice, who likened unemployed young people to cockroaches. The group now demands:
- Minister’s resignation
- Compensation for families of students who committed suicide over the leak
- Accountability for police actions
Prime Minister Modi responded with a video on Instagram, promising fast‑track courts to tackle paper leaks. Protesters said this was not enough and continued to march even as the metro network shut down 18 stations, cutting off a key transport link for millions.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk had been on a 26‑day hunger strike before police forced him into the hospital. He ended his fast after talks with parliament members and said the minister’s resignation was a win for patience and perseverance.
The movement shows how Gen Z is using social media, public demonstrations, and hunger strikes to push for change. It also highlights the tension between a government that has ruled for 12 years and a young population demanding accountability and reform.
