India's Cockroach movement vows to stay at protest site after police dispersal

Supporters of the youth-led Cockroach movement in New Delhi announced on Tuesday that they will continue their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest area, even after police used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators attempting to march toward Parliament. The protesters, who include students, professionals and families, say they will remain until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged failures in the examination system.

"We are going to continue our protest," said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, which was formed two months ago.

The movement, which began as a satirical protest, has grown into a broader campaign addressing exam leaks, unemployment and government accountability. It has drawn rare public criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third-term administration.

On the same day, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and several Congress lawmakers staged a sit-in outside Modi’s residence, with some fastening zip ties around their wrists. Gandhi wrote on X that the protest was meant to "demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday" and urged "every patriotic Indian who believes that our students should get justice" to join.

Police reported that nearly 180 people were injured in the clash, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. Amnesty International said the incident illustrated "how peaceful dissent is being suppressed in India," referencing constitutional protections for assembly.

Movement representatives met with a senior minister on Monday, but the talks did not resolve the demands, which include Pradhan’s resignation, examination reforms and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after alleged exam irregularities. Dipke accused authorities of breaking their word, alleging that police launched a baton charge after the invitation to talks.

"If the government thinks that doing this with Gen Z, they can stop us, then that won’t happen. We are here talking about education, talking about securing our future. And till the time our demands are not met, we will not move from here," said 20-year-old student Sona Bisht.

The confrontation has reportedly attracted additional participants, with 26-year-old professional Rabina Kashyap saying she joined to stand with her fellow citizens.

The police presence remains heavy as the protest continues.