Police block thousands of Delhi protesters marching on parliament
Why it matters: The youth-led movement over exam leaks and unemployment has become a rare, visible challenge to Narendra Modi's government.
Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party tried to march on India’s parliament in New Delhi on Monday after the group called for education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police enforced a ban on the march, using tear gas and cane charges to disperse crowds as some protesters tried to push through barricades and smaller groups sought side routes to parliament. The movement, which began as online satire, has grown rapidly amid anger over alleged exam paper leaks, especially the NEET medical entrance test, and broader frustration over youth unemployment. It gained fresh momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved to a hospital during a hunger strike backing the protests.