India's student-led CJP protests demand education reforms and minister's resignation
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A youth movement sparked by exam paper leaks has mobilised tens of thousands of students across India, calling for changes to the examination system and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Thousands of students marched on India's parliament this week, prompting police to use tear gas and batons. The protests are organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led group that emerged after repeated leaks of examination papers, and they are demanding comprehensive education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended a 26-day hunger strike on Thursday, said the movement will continue until its demands are met.
Analysts note that the CJP differs from earlier anti-government demonstrations because its grievance centers on administrative failure rather than ideology. "The exam and education system cuts across caste, class and gender to quite a large degree," said Yamini Aiyar, senior visiting fellow at Brown University. Rahul Verma, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, added that the protests challenge the government's ability to govern effectively and may force the ruling party to adjust its strategy.
The protests have drawn participants from diverse backgrounds, including student unions, left-wing groups and Dalit rights organisations, but observers say the majority are ordinary students and their families seeking a fair pathway to social mobility. Social media has amplified the movement, with experts describing the online surge as a "tinderbox" that helped translate digital momentum into street demonstrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue on Thursday, pledging fast-track courts to punish those involved in paper leaks and emphasizing the importance of youth welfare. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that opposition parties were using students as political tools. The government’s response will likely determine whether the protests evolve into a longer-term political force or dissipate after achieving specific reforms.