Thousands Protest in Delhi Demanding India's Education Minister Resign

Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets of New Delhi demanding the resignation of India's Education Minister, defying police restrictions in one of the country's largest anti-government demonstrations in recent years, according to The Guardian.

From early Monday morning, the heart of the Indian capital was packed with massive crowds, mostly students and members of Generation Z, chanting slogans against the government. Hundreds spent the night at the protest site preparing for the march.

The Delhi police, under the central government’s authority, had denied permission for the march, imposed a ban on all public gatherings, set up barricades on city roads, and cut internet service in central Delhi.

Attempts by protesters to approach the Parliament building were met with violent police intervention, involving batons and tear gas.

Despite this, thousands participated openly, expressing their frustration with Narendra Modi’s government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of failing to meet the aspirations of the country's youth.

Ritham Katoosh said, “They call this protest illegal and accuse us of being anti-national. But I am 22 years old, and I am here to defend our education system, youth rights, and our democracy. Is asking the government to listen to us really too much?”

The “Cockroach Party,” a recently formed youth movement, had called for the march toward Parliament. The movement’s name was inspired by remarks made by India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice, Surya Kant, last May, when he described some activists and unemployed youth as “cockroaches.”

Although initially started in May as a satirical initiative by graduate Abhijeet Deepki, the party quickly evolved into a serious political challenge to Modi’s government.

The “Cockroach People’s Party” has transformed from a social media joke into a political phenomenon attracting millions of young people frustrated by unemployment.

The party’s main demand is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following chaos surrounding exams after the medical college entrance test questions leaked again this year. Over two million students compete for about 130,000 seats, and the leaked questions were sold to the highest bidder, leading to exam cancellation and retakes, causing severe pressure. Reports have linked this crisis to more than 20 suicides.

Growing frustration over perceived failures in the education system and lack of job opportunities has expanded support for the movement.

Anger was evident in Delhi’s streets on Monday. Among the protesters was Hariyon Sharma, 18, who had to retake the medical entrance exam last month after the leak. He described the pressure on him and his peers as “unbearable.”

Sharma said, “This government does not care about education or the pressures and pain young people endure. Because of those leaks, students lost their lives. We are here to demand accountability and the resignation of the Education Minister. We are young, but we are strong.”

He called the protest turnout “historic,” adding, “They may try to crush our future and democracy, but look around you—how the youth have flooded the streets in such huge numbers. Now, finally, the government fears us.”

The police’s use of force against protesters drew condemnation from opposition politicians. Priyanka Gandhi, a leader of the opposition Congress party, told Parliament, “There are huge problems... but you fire tear gas at children and beat them? Why?”

For weeks, the government ignored supporters of the “Cockroach People’s Party,” who had camped less than a mile from Parliament. Pradhan had downplayed calls for his resignation, labeling the protesters “terrorists.”

However, following Monday’s widespread protests, Modi’s government invited several party spokespersons for talks.

India’s authorities arrested hundreds after violence erupted following elections in West Bengal state in eastern India.

Party spokesperson Sourav Das said on social media that their delegation waited two hours before a brief meeting with government minister J.P. Nada, adding the government had yet to make any commitments.

While neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have seen governments fall due to youth-led movements, protests of this scale have become rare in India in recent years.

During Modi’s 12 years in power, the Bharatiya Janata Party has amassed unprecedented influence nationally and locally, while critics accuse it of imprisoning and pursuing opponents and critics, narrowing space for dissent.

Kangana Ranaut, a ruling party MP, was among officials criticizing the protests, telling reporters, “No one can force the government on who to dismiss or retain.”

The party’s protests gained momentum due to a hunger strike by prominent education activist and engineer Sonam Wangchuk, who has abstained from food and drink for 21 days in solidarity with students, demanding Pradhan’s resignation to end his strike.

National anger escalated after Delhi police raided Wangchuk early Sunday morning and forcibly removed him despite his refusal, an incident widely circulated online.

Wangchuk was taken to a government hospital, where he described himself as a “hostage.” In a statement, his wife Gitanjali Angmo condemned the heavy security presence around him in the hospital ward, saying, “This is not medical treatment but illegal detention.”

In response, “Cockroach People’s Party” organizers also began a hunger strike and called on supporters to join Monday’s march, which Wangchuk described as “India’s second independence movement.”

Amrita, 27, said she took leave from work to join the protest and called the government’s treatment of Wangchuk “shameful.”

She added, “We have a cowardly government that fears the youth and fears Sonam Wangchuk. He is a brilliant mind who risked his life for the youth. The way he is treated is a stain on India. That is why Generation Z came out today to raise their voices.”

By Monday evening, no official response had been issued by Pradhan regarding calls for his resignation, while “Cockroach People’s Party” organizers confirmed they would continue their sit-in at the protest site.

In a handwritten message from the hospital, Wangchuk wrote, “After witnessing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth are treated, I have decided to continue my hunger strike.”