India's youth-led Cockroach movement vows to continue protest after police crackdown

By — Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press By — Shonal Ganguly, Associated Press Shonal Ganguly, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/indias-youth-led-cockroach-movement-vows-to-continue-protest-after-police-crackdown Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter India's youth-led Cockroach movement vows to continue protest after police crackdown World Jul 21, 2026 2:08 PM EDT NEW DELHI (AP) — Supporters of India's youth-led Cockroach movement demanding educational reforms and government accountability refused to leave their New Delhi protest site Tuesday, a day after their thousands-strong march toward Parliament drew police tear gas, beatings and a new wave of sympathy from across the country. The movement, now attracting professionals and families beyond students, represents a rare public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's government, reviving criticism over its handling of dissent and use of force to respond to protests. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and dozens of his Congress party lawmakers showed their support Tuesday with a sit-in outside Modi's residence before police forcibly removed them in a dramatic escalation. Footage showed Gandhi, who had urged "every patriotic Indian who believes that our students should get justice" to join, resisting. Government minister Jitendra Singh said Gandhi was told the location was not "suitable for a sit-in." Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters remained camped at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, under heavy police presence, saying they would stay until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged failures in India's examination system. "We are going to continue our protest," said Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, which emerged just two months ago as a satirical protest after a Supreme Court judge described India's youth as "cockroaches" but quickly evolved. It gained momentum over the weekend after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose three-week hunger strike became a symbol of the protests, was forcibly taken to a hospital by police. READ MORE: Social media platforms spread hate music in India despite policy violations, new report says Video of police beating protesters and dragging them away spread on social media, fueling public outrage. Footage showed young protesters crying and pleading with officers not to hit them, while others stood their ground and endured blows. Delhi Police said nearly 180 people were injured, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters. Sona Bisht, a 20-year-old student who was part of the protest, said the confrontation strengthened her resolve. "If the government thinks that doing this with Gen Z, they can stop us, then that won't happen. We are here talking about education, talking about securing our future. And till the time our demands are not met, we will not move from here," she said. After ne