New Delhi, India – Web Desk: Fresh violence erupted in New Delhi late Wednesday as youth protesters demanding the education minister’s resignation clashed with police, with officers firing tear gas and wielding canes to push back crowds estimated at more than 10,000 at the Jantar Mantar protest site .
Escalation of Protests
The self-named Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests have grown into the biggest youth challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, with opposition parties echoing the demands and disrupting parliament . The movement began over exam paper leaks that affected approximately 2 million students in May .
Tens of thousands of protesters marched on parliament on Monday in violation of a ban, with police firing tear gas and beating protesters with canes. On Wednesday, the crowd swelled to more than 10,000, spilling onto other roads before trouble began .
Violence and Arrests
Some protesters attacked police with stones and plastic bottles, injuring several officers who were taken to hospital . Delhi Metro Rail Corp. announced it would close 16 stations in and around central New Delhi until further notice due to security concerns .
Movement’s Demands
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed to continue the protest until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. “Even if it takes 25 months, we will not move from here,” he told protesters . The government has held talks with CJP leaders and offered to debate the issues in parliament .
Political Implications
Opposition groups, led by the Congress party, have backed the protesters’ demands. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Pradhan’s resignation is “not negotiable” . The protests reflect growing frustration among young Indians over job shortages and exam irregularities .
