Protest Leaders Focus on Safety Amid Rising Tensions in New Delhi
Leaders of India’s “Cockroach Movement” have announced that they will keep fighting against the government but will not organize another march through New Delhi due to safety concerns for their supporters. This decision follows a violent clash between protesters and police, where more than 10,000 people attempted to reach parliament.
“We will avoid marching again, as the police might harm the youth again,” said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), during a news conference on Tuesday.
The clashes on Monday resulted in around 150 protesters being injured. Police used tear gas and beat demonstrators with sticks as they tried to push through to the parliament.
The group’s main demand is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom they blame for issues in the education system. This movement gained momentum after an exam paper leak forced 2.2 million medical students to retake their tests, causing severe distress that allegedly led to at least 12 suicides among students. The CJP is now seeking 10 million rupees (about $104,000) for each family affected by this tragedy.
“We will not back down. Pradhan must go,” said Ashutosh Ranka, another CJP leader.
In a show of solidarity, opposition figures Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka joined protests outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. Videos shared by their Indian National Congress party showed their call for answers regarding the brutal police actions during the protest.
Amnesty International commented on the police response, highlighting concerns about the suppression of peaceful protests in India. One protester, Sahil Singh from Uttar Pradesh, described the violence: “They beat us badly and damaged our space for protest. We want accountability, and that starts with Pradhan resigning.”
The protests saw a larger turnout than anticipated, partly due to public outrage over the recent detention of veteran activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for three weeks. He was taken by police and hospitalized against his will; however, a Delhi High Court ruling has allowed him to transfer to private healthcare after his family claimed he was being unjustly detained.
On Tuesday morning, around 200 protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in central New Delhi, chanting slogans despite the rain. Paramilitary forces patrolled the area, and traffic was restricted due to barricades.
Police reports stated that nearly 180 people were injured in the clashes, including 60 protesters and 118 security personnel. They also mentioned that 70 protesters had been detained and legal action would follow.
Videos from the protests showed police engaging the demonstrators, while no footage of violence from the protestors has been presented.
Despite the violent response, CJP leaders remain hopeful for change. They revealed that a federal minister had expressed willingness to address their demands.
On Tuesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated, “When talks are progressing, we should maintain a calm atmosphere.”
What began as an online campaign filled with memes mocking the government has now transformed into a significant movement, capable of attracting thousands to the streets, as demonstrated by the recent march. The term “Cockroach” was originally used by India’s Supreme Court chief justice, who commented on some jobless youth, but the protesters adopted the term with pride.
