The Indian government is set to hold a new round of talks on Saturday with leaders of a fast‑growing Gen‑Z protest movement, after demonstrations in Delhi this week escalated into one of the biggest youth challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of failing to prevent exam‑paper leaks and broader flaws in the national testing system.
Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) rallied in central Delhi for a fourth consecutive day, even as authorities shut down 18 metro stations to restrict access to protest sites. “They have given us a time between 3.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. today,” said party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, adding that demonstrators want a clear answer on Pradhan’s future. “Will the government seek his resignation or not? We want a yes or no answer.”
Tensions have been rising since Monday, when police cracked down on student marchers heading toward parliament, using baton charges and tear gas. The clashes left many injured and intensified anger over issues including job scarcity, corruption, and government accountability grievances that have broadened the movement beyond exam‑related concerns.
At Friday’s talks, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka warned federal ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh that protests could spread nationwide unless Pradhan steps down. Their meeting came just hours after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26‑day hunger strike, raising hopes for a breakthrough.
The government is under mounting pressure as opposition parties echo the protesters’ demands and continue to disrupt the monsoon session of parliament.
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