Thousands of student protesters marching towards India's parliament in New Delhi on Monday clashed with police in riot gear, as demonstrators demanded the resignation of federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged leaks of the national university entrance test. The protest, led by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, saw police firing tear gas shells and using batons to disperse the crowd, with both houses of parliament adjourned for the day as the monsoon session began.
Television footage and social media videos showed police beating protesters and deploying tear gas as the students attempted to march from the historic Jantar Mantar area to the parliament building. Drone visuals captured a sea of young people assembled on the roads around Jantar Mantar, highlighting the scale of the demonstration. The protesters were blocked from reaching parliament, and heavy security forces were deployed along Raisina Road, a key route leading to the government district.
The protests are part of a broader movement by the Cockroach Janta Party, which has gained traction among Indian youth over allegations of systemic corruption in the education system. CJP leader Abhijit Dipke has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, drawing attention to the demands for accountability. The group accuses Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of failing to prevent leaks of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and other national exams, which they argue undermine the integrity of higher education admissions.
Two representatives of the protesters later held talks with federal Health Minister J. P. Nadda, who urged them to disperse and assist law enforcement in restoring normalcy. In a post on social media, Nadda said the government had engaged with the protesters since 11:50 AM, and that the agitators submitted a written petition listing their demands. One of the representatives, Saurav Das, wrote on X that they had demanded the immediate resignation or sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan, and that Nadda assured them he would discuss the matter at the appropriate level.
Despite the talks, clashes continued into the evening, with thousands of protesters remaining in the Jantar Mantar area. The government has not yet publicly responded to the resignation demand, and the education minister has not commented on the allegations. The incident has drawn widespread attention on social media, with hashtags calling for Pradhan's removal trending on Indian platforms.
The exam leak controversy has been a recurring issue in India, with previous incidents affecting the credibility of national entrance tests for medical, engineering, and university admissions. In recent years, the government has introduced stricter measures to prevent leaks, including digital surveillance and tighter security protocols, but critics argue that enforcement remains weak. The CJP movement, which began as a satirical political party, has evolved into a serious advocacy group for youth rights and educational reform, organizing protests across multiple states.
Monday's protest in Delhi is the latest in a series of demonstrations by students and civil society groups demanding greater transparency in the education system. The monsoon session of parliament, which began on the same day, was disrupted by the protests, with opposition parties also raising the issue of exam leaks in the legislature. The adjournment of both houses underscores the political sensitivity of the matter, as the government faces pressure to address the grievances of a large and vocal youth population.
Local authorities have not released official figures on the number of protesters or arrests, but eyewitnesses reported that the crowd numbered in the thousands. The Delhi Police have not issued a statement on the use of force, but videos circulating online show officers in riot gear charging at demonstrators and firing tear gas canisters. Human rights groups have called for an investigation into the police response, citing excessive force against peaceful protesters.
The Cockroach Janta Party has announced plans for further protests if their demands are not met, including a march to the education ministry. The movement's leaders have urged the government to take immediate action to restore trust in the examination system, warning that the issue could escalate if ignored. As the monsoon session continues, the spotlight remains on the education minister and the government's handling of the crisis.