Indian Police Crack Down on Youth-Led 'Cockroach' Protests in Delhi

The demonstration, which defied police bans and internet shutdowns, targeted the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi following repeated leaks of the National Eligibility Entrance Test. These scandals have forced millions of students to retake grueling exams and delayed university admissions. Organizers estimate that more than 20 students have died by suicide linked to the ongoing academic crisis.

Despite video evidence of police aggression, Delhi authorities have denied using violence against the crowd. Protesters, who have reclaimed the "cockroach" slur—originally attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant—as a badge of defiance, continue to challenge what they describe as an increasingly authoritarian administration. While some student leaders met with Union Minister JP Nadda, no concrete resolution has been reached.

Amnesty International India has condemned the response, noting that the suppression of peaceful assembly violates both the Indian Constitution and international human rights standards. As the movement expands from Jantar Mantar to a broader critique of nationalist policies, activists like Sonam Wangchuk remain on hunger strikes, signaling a deepening rift between the youth and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.