Related: India's opposition leader detained outside PM Modi's house

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Read more

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on Thursday as thousands of young protesters camped out on the streets of Delhi, though he stopped short of meeting their demands for the resignation of the country’s education minister.

India’s “cockroach” protests began more than a month ago over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs. The movement has since expanded beyond exam grievances, drawing professionals and families to join the ranks of students while channelling broader frustration.

Addressing the issue publicly for the first time on Thursday, prime minister Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts to handle examination paper leak cases. “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!” Modi wrote on X.

The announcement did little to calm the protesters, as the leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, which launched the movement, said they would not end their demonstrations until the education minister resigned.

Staying true to the movement’s tongue-in-cheek style, its founder Abhijeet Dipke responded by posting a meme of Pradhan captioned: “Hi, my name is Nothing.”

India protest movement holds capital sit-in as police crack down on demonstrators

Thousands of young protesters were camped on the streets of India’s capital New Delhi on Thursday, defying new restrictions in the latest show of strength for a movement that has become one of the biggest challenges to prime minister Narendra Modi’s government.

India’s “Cockroach” protests began more than a month ago over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs.

The movement has since expanded beyond exam grievances, drawing professionals and families while channeling broader frustration.

Supporters of India's Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) hold signs during the ongoing protests, a few days after thousands of protesters marched towards parliament demanding the resignation (Reuters)

Thursday’s demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, followed overnight clashes in which police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, the second such confrontation this week.

On Monday, thousands of protesters had defied restrictions and marched toward Parliament before police broke up the demonstration with tear gas and batons.

Protesters regrouped by Thursday morning, returning to the protest site despite roadblocks, while authorities suspended Delhi Metro services at 16 stations across central New Delhi in an effort to limit access to the demonstrations.

Namita Singh23 July 2026 09:44