By The South Asia Times

NEW DELHI — A youth-led protest movement demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has intensified into one of the most significant challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government since he came to power in 2014.

The movement, organized by the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) - a satirical group that emerged after a Supreme Court judge used the term "cockroach" to describe unemployed youth  - has drawn tens of thousands of young people to Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site over the past month.

Tensions reached a boiling point on Monday when police used batons and tear gas against thousands of protesters attempting to march to parliament. At least 60 protesters were wounded, while police reported 118 of their personnel were injured. Footage shared widely on social media showed security forces beating protesters, including women, with some lying unconscious on the ground.

According to police, the protesters displayed "unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour," attacked officers with stones, and attempted to breach barricades. However, the CJP accused authorities of being the aggressors, with founder Abhijeet Dipke apologizing to supporters, "especially the girls who were brutally beaten by male police officers".

Despite the crackdown, protesters have returned to the site. "This peaceful protest is not ending!" the CJP posted on social media. Hundreds continue to camp at Jantar Mantar, with supporters pouring in from several states. On Friday, protesters called for nationwide peaceful demonstrations, defying government appeals to join talks.

- Government Denies Foreign Conspiracy

Amid the escalating crisis, the Central Government has issued a firm statement ruling out any foreign involvement in the protests. The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified there is "No Pakistan Funding, No Hand of Chinese Agents" behind the youth movement at Jantar Mantar.

Government sources stated there is "no truth in the BJP supporters' campaign claiming this protest is a conspiracy" and that it is receiving foreign funding. The Centre has made it clear that there is no evidence whatsoever regarding the involvement of foreign powers and urged the public not to believe "false propaganda circulating on social media" [citation:user].

The clarification appears to have dealt a "severe shock" to BJP ranks who had been amplifying conspiracy theories on social media, according to political observers [citation:user].

- Congress Condemns Government, Backs Students

Opposition parties have rallied behind the protesters. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi led Congress party members in a sit-in outside Modi's residence on Tuesday, demanding answers for the "brutalities against young students".

"The government doesn't want to take any accountability or want to have a debate on it in parliament. PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of India's youth," Gandhi posted on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the government after Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University issued advisories warning students to stay away from Jantar Mantar. "Instead of making Dharmendra Pradhan resign and then start a meaningful discussion on the education system, Modi-Shah have resorted to denigrating our centres of learning," Kharge said.

Gandhi further questioned university authorities: "How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes" .

- The Spark Behind the Protests

The CJP movement gained traction after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical colleges was cancelled following reports of paper leaks. More than 20 students have since died by suicide, with families saying they were devastated by the scandal.

Protesters demand Pradhan take moral responsibility and resign, a call he has rejected, dismissing the CJP as "the B-team of disruptive elements".

The movement has received support from farmers' leaders, activists, and Bollywood celebrities including Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt.

- Modi's Response

In his first public response to the crisis, Prime Minister Modi proposed setting up special courts to prosecute those behind exam paper leaks. "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!" he posted on X.

However, the CJP rejected the proposal, with spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka asking: "But Modi-ji, tell us why are paper leaks happening in this country in the first place?" 

Authorities have since shut down 16 metro stations and blocked mobile internet services in central Delhi in an apparent attempt to curb the protests