Thousands of protesters gathered in New Delhi on Wednesday to attempt a march toward India's Parliament, led by a group calling itself the Cockroach Janta Party. The demonstration was organized to protest recent leaks of high-stakes national examinations and to demand greater government accountability regarding student welfare.
The movement saw an increase in participation following the police's recent removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from a hunger strike. Wangchuk had been fasting to advocate for constitutional protections and administrative autonomy for the Himalayan region of Ladakh. Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party stated that his treatment by authorities served as a further catalyst for their mobilization.
Security forces deployed barricades and maintained a heavy presence to prevent the marchers from reaching the Parliament building. While organizers stated the movement represents the frustrations of unemployed youth and students, government officials have not yet issued a formal response to the group's specific demands or the attempted march.