Thousands of demonstrators converged on Delhi over the weekend to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His departure in the early afternoon transformed the protest into a celebratory gathering. The movement, known as the Cockroach protests, has emerged as a significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party, which has governed India for the past 12 years.
The protests originated from an online jest in May when a Boston University student suggested that unemployed young Indians—whom the country’s chief justice had derogatorily compared to cockroaches—unite. The movement evolved into a formal organization called the Cockroach Janta Party, which created demands including comprehensive education system reform. Young Indians have gravitated toward the movement due to systemic failures in higher education, with universities in poor condition and widespread graduate unemployment. The situation has been exacerbated by recurring exam paper leaks sold to wealthy candidates, allowing them to purchase answers while less privileged students face retakes. A leaked medical entrance exam in May prompted at least 12 student suicides.
Engineer and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk amplified the movement by beginning an indefinite hunger strike on June 28. Police forcibly removed him from the protest site on July 18 and transported him to hospital. Footage of his removal circulated widely online, spurring the Cockroach party to call for a march on parliament. As tens of thousands filled Delhi’s streets, police responded with tear gas and batons, though many protesters remained, establishing an encampment at the traditional protest grounds.
The movement has accomplished what seemed unlikely weeks earlier: public displays of contempt toward Modi, including defamatory graffiti and public ridicule. Pradhan’s resignation represents a watershed moment, as Modi typically demands unwavering loyalty from his cabinet members. The BJP’s control over most major media outlets meant the party received minimal coverage, forcing young people to rely on social media for information. Modi’s attempts to engage protesters through Instagram videos drew criticism rather than support.
Observers debate whether this represents the beginning of broader political change. Previous youth movements in India have faced swift government repression, with authorities detaining protesters and restricting public gatherings. Electoral dynamics remain crucial, as the BJP has undertaken controversial redistricting efforts in certain regions to consolidate power. The coming period will demonstrate whether the momentum from these protests translates into sustained political pressure during future electoral contests.
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