July 23, 2026, 4:26 p.mJuly 23, 2026, 4:26 p.m
In numerous Indian cities, the “Cockroach” movement has brought thousands of young people onto the streets to protest.Image: keystone
In view of ongoing protests by the “cockroach” movement in India, the government has offered new talks.
The government is ready “to discuss any issue with our young friends at any time,” said Minister of State for Science, Jitendra Singh, to the Indian news agency ANI. His side has repeatedly submitted corresponding suggestions. For her it’s not “about prestige.”
The young protest movement, which is increasingly spreading across the country, is becoming a major challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, according to observers.
In an initial reaction to the talks proposals, a spokesman for the “Cockroach People’s Party” (CJP) said that the government should come to them with concrete offers. She also has to say by when she will meet the CJP’s demands. “They (the government) are powerful people, we are ordinary people, but at the moment the people of this country are behind us,” the spokesman said in front of thousands of supporters at a rally site in New Delhi that has been occupied for weeks.
Demand for resignation
The CJP is demanding, among other things, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms in the education system. In their opinion, Pradhan should take political responsibility for a scandal surrounding leaked documents from a university entrance exam. More than two million prospective students were affected.
Modi spoke publicly about the scandal for the first time and announced swift criminal proceedings. The government has decided to set up courts for expedited proceedings to ensure rapid and consistent punishment of those involved in the leaking of exam documents, wrote the head of government of the world’s most populous country on X. Nothing is more important than the well-being and future of India’s youth.
Clashes during protests in Delhi
Recently there were serious clashes between CJP supporters and the police during protests in the capital. Numerous people were injured on both sides. According to reports from Indian broadcasters, the police also used batons and tear gas. Both sides accused each other of violent behavior.
Despite the clashes, there were talks between CJP representatives and Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday. However, according to participants, they ended without any tangible result.
The CJP was founded in May after the country’s top judge described unemployed young people as “cockroaches.” The CJP describes itself as a “satirical political movement”. It is organized primarily on the Internet. She later also called for street protests. (sda/dpa)