Indian police baton-charge 'Cockroach' protesters over exam leaks

Indian riot police clashed with thousands of protesters from the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in New Delhi on Monday as they attempted to march to parliament over major exam irregularities. The protesters, many students, were baton-charged near the Jantar Mantar protest site, forcing them to run for cover. The CJP demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, blaming his ministry for question paper leaks and technical glitches that have affected millions of students. Student K.M. Gulshan, 19, said, 'We want the government to hear us, not silence us.' The protest gained momentum after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalized on Saturday, ending his hunger strike in support of the movement.

Despite the crackdown, chief party spokesman Saurav Das reported that the government had reached out for talks, with two CJP members meeting a senior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. 'The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth have gathered in huge numbers,' Das posted on social media. The exam irregularities have sparked widespread outrage, with protests spreading across multiple states. The CJP, known for its satirical approach, has tapped into deep frustration among students who faced canceled exams and delayed results due to systemic failures. The outcome of the talks remains uncertain as tensions continue on the streets.