[Satire] The ‘Cockroaches’ and the Faces Behind India’s Exam Protest Movement
The protest grew from a satirical page into a nationwide campaign over exam leaks, privatisation and public education failures, activists said.
- On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after 50 days of protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, ending a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
- The Cockroach Janta Party movement emerged in May, fueled by examination paper leaks and systemic failures in India's education system. Nearly 20 aspirants died by suicide following the leaks, driving demonstrators to demand accountability.
- Tensions escalated on July 20 when Delhi Police dispersed marchers with tear gas and batons, injuring more than 100 people. Education reformer Sonam Wangchuk had joined the sit-in with an indefinite hunger strike to amplify demands.
- Following a joint news conference on Saturday, the government agreed to provide "whatever maximum possible" compensation to families of affected students. Cockroach Janta Party leaders then shook hands with senior ministers to call off protests.
- Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress demanded accountability for police violence on July 20, while Cockroach Janta Party leaders indicated the movement will broaden its agenda beyond education reform.
24 Articles
24 Articles
After weeks of protests that culminated in the resignation of the Minister of Education, representatives of the so-called Party of Barats (CJP), one of the most recent and powerful political forces in India, demanded on Monday the release of all those who were detained in demonstrations. Officially, the movement suspended their public acts, but the demand leaves the possibility of new protests in the air. "We demand that all detained people be r…
India’s ‘Cockroach’ Revolt Shakes Modi — And the Working Class Could Break Him
By Lallan Schoenstein – Jul 25, 2026 Baton-swinging police waded into crowds of students and young workers in New Delhi on July 20, firing tear gas and beating marchers who are posing the most serious challenge to the rule of Narendra Modi’s government in years. Protesters tried to reach Parliament under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party — a name the movement took, in mockery, from a Supreme Court justice’s reported remark likening India’…
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaThe ‘cockroaches’ and the faces behind India’s exam protest movement
Bihar's government will withdraw legal actions against NEET-UG protestors. This decision follows the Cockroach Janta Party's call to end demonstrations. Abhijeet Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk were key figures in the movement. The CJP transformed from an online identity into a nationwide campaign. Their efforts focused on examination reforms and accountability in systems.
The satirical Party of Barats indicated this Monday that there were students detained in various Indian states, despite the government promise that the proceedings instituted against demonstrators would be abandoned.
During Narendra Modi's 12-year rule in India, only one minister has previously resigned - due to allegations of sexual harassment.
With the resignation of the Indian Minister of Education, the so-called cockroach movement ends. Politicians feel enormous dynamism of the young people to force their government to make concessions.
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