Cockroach protesters demand education minister’s resignation
NEW DELHI — Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that has become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, but organizers of the “Cockroach” protests vowed to continue until the education minister resigns.
Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for the protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams, according to reports. Since then, the movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity, drawing professionals, families and activists to demonstrations in New Delhi and cities across the country.
The demonstrations have become one of the most sustained waves of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years, with thousands returning to the streets even after police used tear gas and batons this week to disperse marchers trying to reach Parliament.
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers after appeals from dozens of members of parliament and following “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.” He did not elaborate on the talks.
Protest organizers said demonstrations would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. They called for demonstrations across the country on Friday in solidarity with students who were beaten by police during a march to Parliament on Monday that drew thousands of people.
“We won’t let Sonam sir’s sacrifice go in vain,” said Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical group that has spearheaded the movement.
The movement’s name comes from a remark by India’s Supreme Court chief justice that compared some unemployed young people to cockroaches, a comment that sparked outrage and was later repurposed as a protest identity.
The nationwide protests come a day after Modi publicly addressed the movement for the first time, announcing fast-track courts to prosecute cases involving examination paper leaks. In a separate video message, Modi also said his government would introduce legislation in Parliament to crack down on exam paper leaks.
The announcements did little to calm the movement, as protesters said they failed to address their demands for government accountability, examination reforms and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after exam paper leaks.
The protests have drawn participants from across age groups and professional backgrounds, reflecting frustration with economic conditions and governance widely felt among India’s youth, a demographic that has faced high unemployment and limited opportunities. The movement has been compared by observers to earlier youth-led protests in India, but its sustained nature and use of digital organizing have distinguished it.