Fresh violence erupts at Delhi youth protest demanding minister’s resignation

Youth protesters clashed briefly with police on the streets of New Delhi late on Wednesday, with officers firing tear gas and wielding canes to push them back. More than 10,000 people were estimated to have gathered at the Jantar Mantar protest site. Some protesters attacked police with stones and plastic bottles, injuring a few officers who were taken to hospital, according to Delhi Police.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, leading the youth protests in India, has reportedly utilized viral meme cards as part of its campaign.

The ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar intensified on July 22, 2026, with the dramatic arrival of Nihang Sikhs. Their participation led to massive anti-government demonstrations and clashes between protesters and police. Carrying traditional swords, the Sikhs were greeted with cheers and chants of support from demonstrators.

Separately, a Sikh group also clashed with police at barricades in Uttarakhand’s Kulhal area while traveling towards Sri Hemkund Sahib. Protesters have now expanded their demands, calling for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down, in addition to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Adding further support to the movement, actor Naseeruddin Shah spoke out against the Modi government and criticized Delhi Police over the student protests. Actor Shabana Azmi also recited poetry at the protest in support of the demonstrators.

A youth-led protest movement in India's capital is being sustained by a steady stream of food delivery riders carrying meals, snacks, and bottled water. Donations are flowing in from supporters across India and abroad, with orders coming from places like Kerala to the USA.

Volunteers are seen climbing police barricades to receive deliveries, which are then passed hand-to-hand to the protest site around Delhi’s Jantar Mantar observatory. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated test paper leaks. The protest gained significant momentum recently after a prominent activist began an indefinite hunger strike in support.

The encampment has endured despite a major police crackdown on Monday, when tens of thousands of mostly young people attempted to march on parliament. Raj Rathore, a 25-year-old volunteer, noted that many people are angry, especially after police actions against students, and are sending food as they cannot join in person. Students confirm that the protest is running around the clock due to these contributions and volunteer-run support networks.

Actor Naseeruddin Shah has issued a strong message amid the Delhi unrest, stating, "Everything Will Be Remembered," in criticism of the crackdown on student protests.

India's film industry has reportedly united against the Modi government, adding another dimension to the ongoing protests.

Crowds of supporters of India’s online “cockroach” movement grew on Wednesday at a New Delhi protest site, with their campaign for accountability and reform following examination scandals gaining momentum. The protests, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, have seen crowds swell to several thousand people at Jantar Mantar. CJP spokesman Ashutosh Ranka stated that protesters will not leave until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. Opposition parties, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, threw their weight behind the movement on Tuesday, with Gandhi appearing in parliament on Wednesday dressed in black, demanding accountability and an apology for the police crackdown on protesters.

The Indian Supreme Court has reportedly sought videos of alleged police violence against protesters. Separately, actor Naseeruddin Shah has criticized the crackdown on student protests.

Protests are escalating in India, with youth movement activists staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar and demands growing for the resignation of Indian Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Security has been tightened around Parliament House and its surroundings, and reports indicate that the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed additional Central Reserve Police Force units to Delhi.

Delhi Police have registered ten cases against unnamed individuals for violence, stone-pelting, causing damage to public property, and attacking Rapid Action Force personnel during protests. Investigations are ongoing. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with other opposition leaders, were briefly detained and then released after raising their voices against police brutality on youth outside the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Millions of students in India are protesting against paper leaks and educational corruption in government jobs, medical admissions, and other entrance exams. The government is accused of cracking down on the youth movement, using brutal force and state institutions against its own people. Indian forces have reportedly used batons to disperse protesters, and the use of the army to suppress dissent is seen as undermining Indian democracy.

India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stated that the government is committed to addressing the concerns of protesting youth and implementing exam reforms. These comments mark his first public statement since the "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) movement began. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also vowed to punish those responsible for exam leaks and to create a foolproof examination system. Separately, Health Minister JP Nadda held talks with CJP leaders, assuring them that the government would consider their demands. Meanwhile, Delhi remains on high alert, and cases have been registered in connection with the protests.

The "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) youth movement in India has intensified its protests, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, following the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The NEET exam, taken by approximately two million students on May 3, was scrapped after question papers were found to have been leaked. This cancellation has been linked to a dozen student suicides, and a re-test was subsequently held in June.

The NEET is described as the sole gateway to undergraduate medical courses across India, with millions of aspirants competing for fewer than 150,000 seats, making it one of the country’s toughest entrance exams. Exam question paper leaks are common in India, with NEET questions also leaked in 2024, though no re-test was ordered then. This year's leak coincided with the birth of the CJP satire movement, which quickly gained millions of Instagram followers by channeling the frustration of under-30s, who constitute over half of India's population and face high youth unemployment.

The ongoing Gen Z rebellion in India is reportedly tightening the noose around the Modi government, with the intensity of the protests posing a major challenge to the government's prospects for a third term.

The "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) protest movement has announced its intention to continue demonstrations until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Student protests in India have escalated, with demonstrators reportedly reaching the Prime Minister's residence. This development follows reports of police using force against protesters marching towards the Indian Parliament.

Separately, Rahul Gandhi has been arrested. His arrest comes amid growing support from opposition parties for the ongoing student movement.

Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) appealed to opposition lawmakers for support on Monday after police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters marching on parliament. The demonstrators were protesting against damaging exam leaks and corruption. Opposition lawmakers responded quickly on Tuesday, following reports of many young demonstrators being injured.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Delhi, exceeding expectations, and images of the authorities' crackdown circulated widely on social media. This prompted nearly all opposition parties to rally behind the movement, which has stated its intention to remain outside electoral politics. Analysts suggest this wider political support could help sustain the CJP by providing resources and a national platform, while also offering opposition parties an opportunity to gain the youth vote.

The "Cockroach Janata Party" protest, which began in Delhi, has now spread to other states.

Analyst Reema Omer has provided an analysis suggesting that Indian media is supporting the government's aggressive policies in response to the ongoing Gen Z movement.

Thousands of youths are currently protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, challenging the perception that effective public movements against the government are impossible. These young individuals aim to march towards the Indian Parliament to press their demands, but Delhi Police are reportedly using force to prevent their advance.

The protest is rooted in grievances related to educational mismanagement, widespread unemployment, and perceived government indifference. Specific triggers include exam paper leaks, student suicides, and the hunger strike and subsequent arrest of social activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The movement, initiated by the "Cockroach Janata Party" under the leadership of ABGDB, has become a prominent voice for discontented youths. Its influence is now extending beyond Delhi, reaching farmers in Punjab. Farmers are preparing for a march to Delhi, though the BJP government is attempting to halt their progress in Haryana.

The potential alliance between protesting youths and farmers could create significant pressure on the government. While student movements in Indian politics have historically been decisive when backed by major opposition parties, the current challenge lies in whether Congress, the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and left-wing parties can overcome their differences to form a united front. Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties have expressed support for the ongoing protest.

The "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP) has now expanded its demands, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement has vowed to continue its campaign until the education minister resigns, following clashes with police on Monday. Delhi Police reported that 178 people were injured during the confrontations, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. Protest organisers, however, condemned the authorities' actions and claimed hundreds of protesters were injured.

CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka stated, "We won't stop. Pradhan has to be sacked," and confirmed he met senior minister JP Nadda. Hundreds of protesters remained at the Jantar Mantar protest site on Tuesday. The movement, which has gained millions of social media followers, demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to examination paper leaks that affected over 2.2 million aspiring medical students.