Thousands of supporters of India’s youth-led “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) continued to protest in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after violent clashes between demonstrators and police. The protests have been sparked by repeated leaks of national entrance exam question papers, which affected approximately two million students and are linked to the deaths by suicide of about a dozen young people, according to local media reports.

The protests, centred at Jantar Mantar near the Parliament, intensified as demonstrators demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for reforms to the education and examination systems. The movement began as a satirical response to a Supreme Court chief justice’s remark comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches,” which protesters have since embraced as a symbol of their campaign against corruption and systemic failures.

On Monday, thousands of protesters attempted to march to Parliament but were stopped by police who used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Delhi Police said the march was unauthorized, requiring security restrictions to maintain order during the monsoon session of Parliament. Police reported nearly 180 injuries, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters, while protesters and their leaders reported more than 150 injuries and accused police of excessive force, including attacks on women and children. The protests spilled over from the designated protest site, with demonstrators filling surrounding streets. Internet services were reportedly disrupted in parts of Delhi during the unrest.

The government has acknowledged the issue of exam paper leaks and taken steps including arresting 13 individuals implicated in the scandal, with a re-examination conducted to address the breach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged unity in addressing the challenge and promised strict measures to prevent future leaks, as conveyed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Despite these assurances, the CJP has vowed to continue protesting, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis and demanding the education minister’s removal and compensation for victims' families.

Among the movement’s prominent figures is activist Sonam Wangchuk, who began a hunger strike on June 28 to protest education system failures. After being forcibly moved to a hospital by police on Saturday, Wangchuk was recently permitted by the Delhi High Court to transfer to a private facility following a petition by his wife, who alleged illegal detention. The release or transfer of Wangchuk is one of three key demands articulated by protesters.

The protests have drawn support from a broad base including students, professionals, families, opposition political figures such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress party, as well as some celebrities and civil society activists. Opposition leaders staged demonstrations against the police crackdown outside Modi’s residence, with some detained during these protests.

Observers suggest that the movement reflects wider discontent among India’s youth over issues beyond exam leaks, including unemployment, lack of government accountability, and shrinking space for dissent under Modi’s administration. Analysts note the protests mark a significant challenge to Modi’s government, which has faced criticism for restricting protests and dissent in recent years. Participants expressed resolve to maintain pressure on the government, emphasizing that the movement has evolved into a broader call for transparency and justice in governance.

Despite government officials meeting with CJP representatives, including a Monday discussion with Health Minister JP Nadda, protesters said no substantive response had been made to their demands by the government or the Prime Minister, who has thus far remained silent on issues raised by the demonstrations. Protest leaders called for immediate attention to their demands, which include the resignation or removal of the education minister, compensation for the families of students who died by suicide, and acknowledgment of systemic failures in the education sector.