NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged tough action against those responsible for exam fraud that has ignited significant student protests across the nation. This is his first response to the ongoing unrest challenging his government.
“The future of our youth is paramount,” Modi expressed in a social media statement, promising the establishment of speedy courts to deal with individuals involved in leaked exam papers.
On Wednesday night, youth protesters in New Delhi clashed with police as they demanded the resignation of the education minister. Officers deployed tear gas and used batons to control the crowd, according to eyewitness accounts.
Reports suggest that over 10,000 individuals gathered at the Jantar Mantar protest site, continuing a month-long demonstration by the so-called “Cockroach Janta Party,” who are demanding accountability for exam leaks that impacted around 2 million students in May.
These protests mark the largest youth-led challenge to Modi’s leadership since he assumed office in 2014. Opposition parties have rallied alongside the protesters, echoing their demands and disrupting the parliamentary session that began this week.
On Monday, tens of thousands marched towards parliament despite police restrictions, leading to clashes as law enforcement tried to disperse the crowd.
By Wednesday evening, the turnout at Jantar Mantar grew to over 10,000, with demonstrators chanting slogans and waving the national flag, while some protested outside parliament. Eventually, tensions escalated, with reports of protesters throwing stones and plastic bottles at the police, resulting in injuries to some officers.
Videos circulating on social media captured moments of confrontation between protesters and the police, although their authenticity could not be independently confirmed.
Initially starting as an online movement, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gained traction when only a few hundred young people joined in. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that the protests would not cease until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down. “We will keep pushing until our demands are met, no matter how long it takes,” Dipke declared to the crowd late Wednesday.
Delhi Metro Stations Shut
In light of the ongoing unrest, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the closure of 16 stations in central New Delhi on Thursday until further notice, marking the second large-scale closure this week due to security risks.
Responding to the mounting pressure, Modi’s government has initiated discussions with CJP leaders and assured them that their concerns will be taken into account. Plans for reforms in the examination system were also discussed.
Opposition parties, especially the Congress, have joined in supporting the protesters. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a rally outside Modi’s residence and parliament, stressing that Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable. Plans for further discussions among opposition leaders were set for Thursday morning.
The rise of the CJP underscores young Indians’ frustration over job scarcity and frequent exam leaks, creating an opportunity for opposition parties to challenge Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially following their unexpected outcomes in the recent elections.
