Youth-led protests in Delhi demand education reforms and minister's resignation
Thousands of students and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest alleged exam corruption and call for the resignation of the education minister, facing police dispersal and tear-gas deployment.
Students and young activists converged on Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday, marching toward the parliament to demand sweeping reforms of the national education system and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest, organized by the youth-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was sparked by a leak scandal involving the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, which forced millions of aspirants to retake the exam and was linked to a series of student suicides.
"We are here for those kids who died by suicide," said 18-year-old protester Anshuka Ruth Das, who traveled from Gurugram with placards hidden in a paper bag.
The movement, which began as a parody social-media account, quickly amassed millions of followers and attracted leaders such as 30-year-old Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University graduate who returned to India to coordinate the campaign. Demonstrators also called for accountability from the government, citing systemic barriers to fair college admissions.
Delhi authorities responded with extensive security measures, shutting metro stations, barricading roads and restricting internet access. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse crowds, detaining several protesters and injuring others. Witnesses described the crackdown as sudden and violent.
"The protest was peaceful, but suddenly people started running in panic after a lathi charge," said 26-year-old Mohammad Anis, who reported injuries to his arm and hand.
Veteran activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike in solidarity with the movement, was also removed by police and taken to a hospital, prompting criticism from his family.
Analysts noted that the protests reflect broader socioeconomic grievances, including unemployment, inflation and caste-based discrimination, which have intensified despite overall economic growth. A CJP spokesperson said the government had offered talks with health minister JP Nadda, but observers cautioned that a swift resolution was unlikely.
"The willingness to talk suggests a significant climbdown," said political researcher Asim Ali, adding that the movement's leaderless nature could lead to a decline if negotiations stall.
Protesters such as 20-year-old Anjani Kumani emphasized the urgency of their demands, stating that the education minister must resign or the demonstrators will not disperse.