Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing mounting political pressure after opposition leaders joined thousands of protesters demanding education reforms following a police crackdown in New Delhi.

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has spearheaded weeks of demonstrations, is demanding sweeping education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Despite heavy overnight rain, thousands of supporters remained at the protest site on Tuesday.

The protests gained fresh political momentum when leaders of the opposition Congress party staged a demonstration outside Modi’s residence, a day after police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters. Dozens of demonstrators and police officers were injured during Monday’s clashes.

Congress released videos showing its MP Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders being detained and taken away in police buses. They were later released.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators had gathered in central Delhi after the CJP called for a march to Parliament at the start of the monsoon session. Police later dismantled the protest stage and temporary shelters at Jantar Mantar, but protesters have continued their round-the-clock sit-in.

Several opposition leaders, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and veteran politician Sharad Pawar, visited the protest site in a show of solidarity.

Later on Tuesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi led a march towards the prime minister’s residence, demanding the resignations of Pradhan, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Modi.

Gandhi accused the government of preventing Parliament from debating the police response to the protests, saying Congress demonstrated outside Modi’s residence after being blocked from raising the issue in the legislature.

Federal Minister Jitendra Singh rejected the claim, insisting the government had agreed to a discussion, but accused Gandhi of shifting the goalposts by insisting on Pradhan’s resignation.

In his first public remarks since Monday’s violence, Pradhan accused Congress of exploiting students for political gain, saying the government remained committed to delivering reforms and accountability.

The CJP has yet to respond publicly to Pradhan’s comments, while his resignation remains one of the movement’s central demands.

The satirical movement emerged after India’s chief justice used the word “cockroach” earlier this year while referring to unemployed young people entering journalism and activism. He later clarified that the remarks were directed only at individuals with “fake and bogus degrees.”

Although the CJP is not a registered political party, it has evolved into a nationwide movement capable of mobilising tens of thousands of people.

The protests gained international attention after activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk joined demonstrators on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike. Police removed him from the protest site on Saturday and transferred him to hospital, where he has continued his hunger strike.

Support for the movement has since spread beyond New Delhi, with demonstrations reported in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, making it one of the most significant expressions of public dissent against Modi’s government in recent years. (Arise News)

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