India Cockroach Movement leaders await a government response on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation after talks over examination leaks.
The India Cockroach Movement has given Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government until Saturday to respond to its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Government representatives asked for more time after talks with leaders of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party, known as the CJP, on Friday.
Senior federal ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh represented the government. CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka represented the protesters.
Ranka said the government had requested time until Saturday afternoon to respond specifically to the resignation demand. Nadda described the talks as cordial and confirmed that both sides would meet again.
India Cockroach Movement Maintains Three Demands
Protest leaders insist that Pradhan must either resign or lose his ministerial position.
They warned that demonstrations would continue and spread further unless the government accepts that demand.
The CJP also wants authorities to withdraw police cases filed against protesters. In addition, it seeks compensation for families of more than a dozen students whom local media linked to suicides following the examination leak.
The negotiations followed prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end a 26-day hunger strike supporting the campaign.
The protests represent the largest organised youth challenge to Modi’s government since he came to power in 2014. Opposition parties have echoed several demands and disrupted Parliament’s monsoon session.
Examination Leak Triggered Nationwide Anger
The movement began after a medical entrance examination paper leak in May affected about 2 million students.
What started as online satire later developed into a nationwide campaign over examination integrity, unemployment and government accountability.
Tens of thousands joined demonstrations in New Delhi. Protests also spread to cities and states outside the capital, while authorities restricted mobile internet services around central Delhi.
However, the government has not confirmed that it will dismiss Pradhan.
The next round of talks will therefore determine whether the India Cockroach Movement secures a political concession or intensifies its nationwide campaign.
