Indian opposition lawmakers successfully suspended parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with a massive youth-led protest movement, demanding the resignation of the education minister over nationwide exam leaks and subsequent police brutality.
Led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi, opposition figures dressed in black gathered outside the parliament building in New Delhi. Inside the chambers they continuously disrupted sessions by shouting slogans, forcing repeated adjournments in both the lower and upper houses.
Gandhi demanded accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down and demanding a formal apology for the excessive force used against students earlier in the week. "We are fully backing them. This is not negotiable under any circumstance" Gandhi told reporters.
The political showdown follows Monday’s massive demonstration by the "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) a youth movement that began as online satire but has rapidly evolved into the most significant challenge to Modi’s government since 2014. Driven by outrage over medical entrance exam leaks that compromised the futures of nearly two million students, alongside deep frustrations over chronic unemployment, tens of thousands of young Indians took to the streets.
Monday’s march in Delhi descended into chaos when police deployed tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds. Authorities reported injuries to 60 civilians and 118 police officers. However, protest organizers and Amnesty International condemned the police for excessive force, noting that at least one student remains in intensive care. The Supreme Court of India declined to hear a petition regarding the alleged police brutality on Wednesday.
Despite mounting pressure and a hunger strike by prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk, the government has refused to yield to resignation demands. Education Minister Pradhan, breaking his silence late Tuesday, promised institutional reforms and accountability but criticized the opposition. "The students of India deserve far better than being treated as props in a political campaign" Pradhan stated.
Meanwhile, the unrest shows no signs of slowing. Protests have spread to major cities across the country, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. In central Delhi, thousands of protesters remain camped out despite grueling heat, sustained by community food donations and vowing not to leave until the government meets their demands.
