A student-led protest erupted near India`s Parliament in New Delhi on Saturday as supporters of the rapidly growing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of examination mismanagement and repeated question paper leaks.
Hundreds of students and young activists joined the demonstration, accusing authorities of failing to protect the integrity of major public examinations and calling for greater accountability within the education system.
The protesters gathered under tight security, with police deploying additional personnel and monitoring the area through surveillance cameras and drones.
Demonstrators used steel plates and spoons to create noise throughout the rally, turning the event into a symbolic protest that quickly drew public attention.
The tactic was widely viewed as a satirical reference to a nationwide campaign launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, when citizens were encouraged to bang utensils in support of frontline workers.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed the crowd and reiterated demands for the education minister`s resignation, arguing that students had repeatedly suffered due to examination controversies and administrative failures.
Participants warned that the movement would continue unless concrete action was taken to address concerns surrounding public examinations and recruitment tests.
The latest wave of protests follows a recent leak of a national medical entrance examination paper that circulated through social media platforms.
The incident prompted authorities to postpone the examination and launch an investigation.
The test is now scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The Cockroach Janta Party first gained national attention earlier this year after controversial remarks about unemployed youth sparked widespread criticism online.
Supporters embraced the term "cockroach" as a symbol of resilience and solidarity, helping the movement build a large following on social media.
Since its emergence, the group has expanded its agenda beyond education issues, raising concerns about unemployment, rising living costs and government accountability through a mix of street protests and online campaigns.
Political observers say the movement`s growing popularity among younger voters is increasing pressure on the government as public frustration over examination irregularities continues to mount.
