On Tuesday, central Delhi remained crowded with thousands of protesters as an unprecedented expression of dissent against the powerful ruling Narendra Modi government showed no sign of abating.
Just 24 hours earlier, more than 50,000 people, many in their late teens and early 20s, took to the streets, mobilised by a new youth-led political movement called the Cockroach Janta party (CJP). Their rallying call was the resignation of the education minister and reform of a corrupt and broken education system.
Police Violence on Monday
What began peacefully on Monday – with people fanning each other in the humidity, sharing snacks and chanting slogans – turned into scenes of brutality by the afternoon. Delhi police denied protesters the right to march on parliament and kettled the crowd into a restricted area. The internet was shut down and barricades were erected across the capital. Police used batons and teargas.
Police said they were responding to agitation, but organisers and witnesses claimed unprovoked attacks, including against women and children. About 60 suffered injuries and at least one protester is on a ventilator in intensive care.
Protesters Remain Defiant
“The day was so wholesome to start with, there was so much love,” said Taru, 25, who came with a bicycle helmet for protection. “But after 3pm the police started attacking us. They were bashing us like anything. I saw them come up and hit people on the head as they were sitting down on the pavement doing nothing. And then as we were running, they opened up teargas on us.” She described the police response as a “big mistake. Now we are more agitated than ever.”
On Tuesday, crowds remained thick and lively at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the focal point of CJP protests over the past month. Some had travelled hundreds of miles and intended to camp until the government responded. “The government needs to understand: we are not going anywhere,” said Ranjit Verma, 23.
Movement Grows Beyond Education
While the CJP movement has focused on accountability for leaks of exam papers and calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the overriding feeling after Monday was that this was now bigger than one issue. For some, it was the moment India’s youth – totalling more than 600 million – had found its political voice.
“The solidarity on the streets yesterday filled my heart,” said Kuhoo Kaushik, 26, a content creator from Delhi. “How the government responded was really sad, police beating up 14-year-olds is horrible. But personally, I feel like it’s really awoken something in me. That’s why I’ve come back today: we won’t be moved until the government listens to us. It’s become about so much more than education – but one step at a time.”
At a press conference on Tuesday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed the protests would continue, though he did not state next steps. Ratna Singh, a CJP spokesperson, said the movement was aware of how the Modi government had cracked down on previous dissent. “Anyone who has tried to speak up against this government has faced terrorism charges or tax raids or jail and there is so much fear,” she said. “But I am very proud at how many people have showed up and come out on the streets. The police showed us no mercy – but no matter what barbaric treatment they give us, we will not be silenced.”
While a senior government minister met two CJP spokespeople on Monday to discuss demands, Singh said the government had not responded on Tuesday and the “prime minister has remained silent about what happened”.
Shobha Varma, 80, attended with her granddaughter. “Our education system has been failing young people for years,” she said. “But when I look out at everyone here, I really feel hope.”
