Web Desk: India’s youth-led “Cockroach” protest movement said it would continue its campaign against the government but would no longer organise marches after violent clashes with police left scores of protesters and security personnel injured during a rally toward parliament.
The announcement came a day after thousands of demonstrators gathered in New Delhi in the largest show of strength yet by the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a movement that began as an online satire but has evolved into a significant challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government during his third term.
Delhi Police said about 180 people were injured during Monday’s confrontation in central Delhi, including 118 police and security personnel and 60 protesters.
Authorities also detained 70 demonstrators and said legal proceedings would be initiated against them, according to a police statement issued late on Monday.
The violence erupted after police attempted to stop protesters from marching toward parliament, triggering clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the group had decided against holding further marches to prevent additional injuries among its supporters.
“We had to call off the protest yesterday because we did not want more youth to be injured,” Dipke said.
“We will not march again because the police will hurt the youth again,” he added, claiming that more than 150 protesters were receiving treatment in hospitals.
The months-old movement has attracted widespread backing from Gen Z Indians demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks in May that affected more than 2 million students.
Although the campaign originated as an online satirical movement, it has since drawn millions of young supporters across India, transforming into one of the most visible youth-led protests against the federal government in recent years.
On Tuesday morning, around 150 to 200 protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi despite light rain, chanting slogans as security remained on high alert.
Paramilitary personnel continued to patrol key areas of central Delhi, while police barricades slowed traffic around sensitive locations following the previous day’s unrest.
