Police in New Delhi used tear gas and batons on Monday to prevent supporters of India’s youth-led “Cockroach” movement from marching to Parliament, where demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the country’s education minister.
The confrontation occurred after thousands of protesters attempted to cross security barricades erected near the protest area in central Delhi.
It marked one of the most significant clashes since the movement emerged as a challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Protesters Continue March Despite Crackdown
Although police dispersed sections of the crowd, many demonstrators continued making their way toward Parliament in smaller groups, determined to press ahead with their demands.
The protests coincided with signs of possible engagement between the government and representatives of the movement, raising the prospect of dialogue even as tensions remained high.
Saurav Das, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, criticized the police response, accusing authorities of using excessive force against what he described as peaceful demonstrators.
Delhi Police defended its actions, stating that the march had not received official permission and that security measures were necessary to maintain public order around Parliament during the ongoing monsoon session.
The demonstration began at Jantar Mantar, the capital’s designated protest venue located a short distance from Parliament. The gathering attracted students, working professionals, families and other supporters from across the city.
As attendance increased throughout the day, the crowd expanded into nearby streets, causing surrounding roads to fill with demonstrators.
Many participants arrived carrying backpacks stocked with water and food, anticipating a prolonged protest. Others waved Indian flags while chanting slogans calling for the education minister’s resignation and criticizing the Modi government.
Despite heightened security and repeated efforts by police to prevent the march, protesters continued to assemble and voice their demands.
