Hundreds of demonstrators from the youth-led "Cockroach" movement remained at a protest site in New Delhi on Tuesday, following a police intervention the previous day. On Monday, authorities used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of marchers heading toward Parliament. Delhi Police reported that nearly 180 people were injured in the clash, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters.
The protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, stated they intend to stay at the Jantar Mantar site until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. The group is demanding government accountability regarding alleged examination leaks, reforms to the national testing system, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide following reported exam irregularities. Government representatives met with movement leaders on Monday, but the talks did not lead to a resolution.
Concurrent with the youth sit-in, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and several lawmakers from the Congress party held a demonstration outside the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi stated the action was intended to seek answers regarding the police use of force on Monday. While the government has begun limited outreach, Amnesty International criticized the police response as a suppression of peaceful assembly, which is protected under the Indian constitution.