Thousands of student protesters faced a violent police crackdown in New Delhi on July 20, 2026, after months of anger over compromised nationwide entrance exams and paper leaks.
The streets of the Indian capital bear the stark physical marks of a violent confrontation. Blood spots on walls, overturned barricades, shattered mirrors, and discarded sandals line Parliament Street and Connaught Place, the remnants of a forceful police response to a massive demonstration. Thousands of protesters—predominantly students—marched toward the heart of New Delhi to demand the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstration ended when law enforcement deployed tear gas and batons to push the crowd back, injuring more than 100 students.
Exam Leaks, Hunger Strikes, and the Rise of the Cockroach Janta Party
The unrest stems from two months of simmering frustration among India’s Gen Z population over a series of compromised entrance exams that impacted millions of students. In numerous instances, test papers leaked ahead of schedule, or students attempting to verify their answer scripts discovered they had been graded incorrectly. More than 20 students died by suicide, with many victims citing the paper leaks. Earlier in May, a key nationwide entrance exam for medical colleges was cancelled after a paper was leaked, devastating two million aspirants.
From this widespread disillusionment, the political pressure group known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) emerged. Founded on May 16 by 30-year-old Abhijeet Dipke while he was in the United States seeking employment, the group embraced a derogatory label hurled at unemployed youths by the chief justice of India. Since June 6, the CJP and its supporters have maintained a continuous camp at Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory in Delhi. The site has drawn participants from across the country, including students, senior citizens, academics, and parents who are furious with an education system that forces children to study 10 to 14 hours a day under the pressure of a single three-hour test.
The protest movement gained a prominent figurehead when Sonam Wangchuk, a 59-year-old activist and engineer known for his environmental campaigning in Ladakh, joined the camp and launched an indefinite hunger strike on June 28. By the 18th day of his fast, Wangchuk had lost close to 9kg, leading doctors to warn that his body had entered severe starvation, resulting in extreme weakness and impaired brain function. On Thursday, as day 19 arrived, an Indian court ordered authorities to monitor Wangchuk’s health.
Government Talks, Police Cases, and Opposition Alliance
Despite the escalating tensions, engagement from the ruling administration has been minimal.
The severity of the police response altered the political dynamics of the movement. While the CJP initially positioned itself in opposition to both the ruling party and the opposition for failing youth concerns, the crackdown prompted opposition leaders to offer open solidarity. On Tuesday, July 21, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra staged a sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Modi’s residence in New Delhi before being detained by police.
Political Stakes Ahead of Upcoming State and National Elections
The convergence of student activism and opposition politics presents both opportunities and risks. Analysts note that while opposition backing provides the CJP with organizational resources, legal assistance, and a national platform, it also threatens to overshadow core student demands like job creation and exam security with broader partisan agendas. With young people under 30 making up more than half of India’s 1.42 billion population, political parties are fiercely competing for youth support.
