India's angry Gen Z protesters say Modi must fix accountability
New Delhi (AFP) – Student protests in India demanding education reforms grew on Thursday despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing a crackdown following a string of exam paper leaks.
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
'Broken' system
Yuvraj, training to be a lawyer in northern Punjab state, sported a Spiderman mask but could barely conceal his anger.
"We live in a surveillance state," the 24-year-old said, giving only one name.
"The state is watching us, so we cannot afford to take a chance."
But not coming "would have been the biggest regret of my life", he said.
"We have to protest because the system is completely broken and some things are bigger than you."
Yuvraj said the entrance test for a government job he had applied for last year was also found to have been compromised.
"You prepare for years for an exam only for the paper to be leaked, and then you're told to try again next time," he said.
"It is just not acceptable. There has to be some accountability."
© 2026 AFP
New Delhi (AFP) – Student protests in India demanding education reforms grew on Thursday despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing a crackdown following a string of exam paper leaks.
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
Sahil, 28, says he has joined India's student protests to 'demand accountability'
© Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Five Gen Z protesters at the main protest site in the capital New Delhi spoke to AFP about what was driving them to join the movement initiated by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protests have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his re-election in 2024.
'Speak up'
Madhu, 21, said the medical entrance exam paper leak that forced more than two million candidates to sit for a retest, provided the initial spark.
"The paper leak was the spark and the CJP provided a platform for people to protest," she said.
"But now it has become a forum to talk about our many problems, from unemployment to the lack of freedom to speak up under this government."
She attributed the outpouring of support for the protests to "years of repressed frustration".
"It has been a long time since this government last spoke to us in good faith," she said while cleaning up the protest site.
Madhu said her parents feared for her safety -- she had her face covered with a surgical mask and gave only her first name -- but that she felt obliged to be part of the movement.
"Sometimes you have to overcome your own fears."
- 'Just sack him' -
Five Gen Z protesters at the main protest site in the capital New Delhi spoke to AFP about what was driving them to join the movement initiated by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protests have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi's government since his re-election in 2024.
'Speak up'
Madhu, 21, said the medical entrance exam paper leak that forced more than two million candidates to sit for a retest, provided the initial spark.
"The paper leak was the spark and the CJP provided a platform for people to protest," she said.
"But now it has become a forum to talk about our many problems, from unemployment to the lack of freedom to speak up under this government."
She attributed the outpouring of support for the protests to "years of repressed frustration".
"It has been a long time since this government last spoke to us in good faith," she said while cleaning up the protest site.
Madhu said her parents feared for her safety -- she had her face covered with a surgical mask and gave only her first name -- but that she felt obliged to be part of the movement.
"Sometimes you have to overcome your own fears."
- 'Just sack him' -
Aarohi Singh's sister was forced to resit the leaked medical entrance exam, but did not pass © Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Aarohi Singh has travelled from the northern city of Lucknow on an overnight train, a duffel bag in tow and no return ticket -- a trip made with her family's blessing.
"My parents told me to go and mark our presence," said the 23-year-old who runs a beauty salon. "I don't have a place to stay, but that's fine -- at least I have the company of thousands of people."
For the Singh family, the movement is personal. Her younger sister was forced to resit the medical entrance exam but did not pass.
"I know how much money my parents spent on her preparation, but after the paper leaked she was demoralised and broken," she said.
Singh said she was "aghast" at the government's reluctance to sack the education minister, the protesters' main demand.
"There's the people of the country on one side and the minister on the other," she said. "Why can't the prime minister just sack him?"
- 'Demand accountability' -
Sahil, 28, a corporate employee, has been coming to the protest every day since Monday after calling in sick at work.
On Thursday, he was coordinating hundreds of food deliveries sent by well-wishers from across the country.
"I am part of this because I can relate to what the affected students must be going through," said Sahil, who asked to be identified by only one name.
"I am here to demand accountability."
Sahil said he had seen the movement grow into a broader expression of anger.
"It began with students and education, but people are coming and raising their own set of problems," he said.
"People are protesting against what they feel is wrong in the country."
- 'Hope' -
Aarohi Singh has travelled from the northern city of Lucknow on an overnight train, a duffel bag in tow and no return ticket -- a trip made with her family's blessing.
"My parents told me to go and mark our presence," said the 23-year-old who runs a beauty salon. "I don't have a place to stay, but that's fine -- at least I have the company of thousands of people."
For the Singh family, the movement is personal. Her younger sister was forced to resit the medical entrance exam but did not pass.
"I know how much money my parents spent on her preparation, but after the paper leaked she was demoralised and broken," she said.
Singh said she was "aghast" at the government's reluctance to sack the education minister, the protesters' main demand.
"There's the people of the country on one side and the minister on the other," she said. "Why can't the prime minister just sack him?"
- 'Demand accountability' -
Sahil, 28, a corporate employee, has been coming to the protest every day since Monday after calling in sick at work.
On Thursday, he was coordinating hundreds of food deliveries sent by well-wishers from across the country.
"I am part of this because I can relate to what the affected students must be going through," said Sahil, who asked to be identified by only one name.
"I am here to demand accountability."
Sahil said he had seen the movement grow into a broader expression of anger.
"It began with students and education, but people are coming and raising their own set of problems," he said.
"People are protesting against what they feel is wrong in the country."
- 'Hope' -
Yuvraj, a 24-year-old protester, says he has joined because 'some things are bigger than you' © Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Engineering student Kunal Suryavanshi, from a small town in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, said the protest was an opportunity to be among people who dared to speak up.
"We live in a deeply unequal country where every protest is crushed with brute force," said the 17-year-old.
"I have come to be part of something that will hopefully lead to change."
Suryavanshi said he planned to stay in the capital for a while, spending his days at the protest site and sleeping at a nearby Sikh temple.
"But if I don't get space there, the pavement is just fine," he said, his face half-covered by a handkerchief.
"All I have brought with me is hope."
Engineering student Kunal Suryavanshi, from a small town in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, said the protest was an opportunity to be among people who dared to speak up.
"We live in a deeply unequal country where every protest is crushed with brute force," said the 17-year-old.
"I have come to be part of something that will hopefully lead to change."
Suryavanshi said he planned to stay in the capital for a while, spending his days at the protest site and sleeping at a nearby Sikh temple.
"But if I don't get space there, the pavement is just fine," he said, his face half-covered by a handkerchief.
"All I have brought with me is hope."
'Broken' system
Yuvraj, training to be a lawyer in northern Punjab state, sported a Spiderman mask but could barely conceal his anger.
"We live in a surveillance state," the 24-year-old said, giving only one name.
"The state is watching us, so we cannot afford to take a chance."
But not coming "would have been the biggest regret of my life", he said.
"We have to protest because the system is completely broken and some things are bigger than you."
Yuvraj said the entrance test for a government job he had applied for last year was also found to have been compromised.
"You prepare for years for an exam only for the paper to be leaked, and then you're told to try again next time," he said.
"It is just not acceptable. There has to be some accountability."
© 2026 AFP
Modi vows 'stringent punishment' for exam fraud fuelling India's youth-led 'Cockroach' protests
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to punish those involved in a leaked exam papers scandal that has sparked mass student protests. His promise came a day after thousands of protesters, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party, demonstrated in New Delhi, sparking fresh clashes with police. The snowballing protests have become one of the biggest challenges to Modi since his re-election for a third term in office in 2024.
Issued on: 23/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24
'Cockroach Janta Party' takes India by storm
The CJP, which has millions of followers on social media, emerged in May initially as a satirical response to Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly likening young people to "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a court hearing.
The movement has since broadened its agenda to include concerns over unemployment, opportunities for young people and what it describes as Modi's increasingly authoritarian style of governance.
The protests have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Hindu-nationalist Modi since his re-election for a third term in office in 2024.
A series of exam irregularities have undermined trust in India's testing system, including the leak of a medical entrance question paper that forced more than two million candidates to retake the test.
Another dispute involving the online marking of examinations taken by nearly two million high school students has further fuelled public anger.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to punish those involved in a leaked exam papers scandal that has sparked mass student protests. His promise came a day after thousands of protesters, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party, demonstrated in New Delhi, sparking fresh clashes with police. The snowballing protests have become one of the biggest challenges to Modi since his re-election for a third term in office in 2024.
Issued on: 23/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Protesters at a demonstration demanding educational reforms as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing protest movement in Mumbai, India, on July 22, 2026.
© Rafiq Maqbool, AP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed on Thursday "stringent punishment" for those involved in exam fraud that has fuelled student anger, in his first direct comments tied to major protests challenging his government.
The comments came after thousands of protesters, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, rallied in New Delhi on Wednesday, triggering fresh clashes with the police.
"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth," he said in a social media post, promising to set up fast-track courts to punish those involved in question paper leaks.
"Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he added.
The protesters, mostly young students, have been demanding the resignation of the education minister over exam paper leaks since last month.
Protests snowballed on Monday after police fired tear gas and baton-charged tens of thousands of demonstrators as they tried to march to parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session.
As tensions escalated, protesters responded by hurling stones, marking the largest street rally in the capital in about five years.
At least 178 people, including security personnel, were injured in the violence, according to the police.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed on Thursday "stringent punishment" for those involved in exam fraud that has fuelled student anger, in his first direct comments tied to major protests challenging his government.
The comments came after thousands of protesters, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, rallied in New Delhi on Wednesday, triggering fresh clashes with the police.
"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth," he said in a social media post, promising to set up fast-track courts to punish those involved in question paper leaks.
"Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he added.
The protesters, mostly young students, have been demanding the resignation of the education minister over exam paper leaks since last month.
Protests snowballed on Monday after police fired tear gas and baton-charged tens of thousands of demonstrators as they tried to march to parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session.
As tensions escalated, protesters responded by hurling stones, marking the largest street rally in the capital in about five years.
At least 178 people, including security personnel, were injured in the violence, according to the police.
'Cockroach Janta Party' takes India by storm
Cover image: 'Cockroach Janta Party' takes India by storm.
© FRANCE 24
The CJP, which has millions of followers on social media, emerged in May initially as a satirical response to Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly likening young people to "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a court hearing.
The movement has since broadened its agenda to include concerns over unemployment, opportunities for young people and what it describes as Modi's increasingly authoritarian style of governance.
The protests have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Hindu-nationalist Modi since his re-election for a third term in office in 2024.
A series of exam irregularities have undermined trust in India's testing system, including the leak of a medical entrance question paper that forced more than two million candidates to retake the test.
Another dispute involving the online marking of examinations taken by nearly two million high school students has further fuelled public anger.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Supporters flood India's 'cockroach' protesters with food
New Delhi (AFP) – Supporters from across India are literally feeding "cockroach" education-reform protesters camped in the capital, sending a deluge of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and tea.
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - RFI
New Delhi (AFP) – Supporters from across India are literally feeding "cockroach" education-reform protesters camped in the capital, sending a deluge of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and tea.
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - RFI
Supporters across India are sending food to education reform activists camped in New Delhi © Arun SANKAR / AFP
As activists gather beneath tarpaulin sheets in New Delhi, often holding all-night political debates, singing or reciting poetry, delivery drivers from online platforms weave through the barricades.
The supplies are being dispatched by supporters from as far as thousands of kilometres away who cannot join the protesters but are determined to help them.
Since police moved to crack down on tens of thousands of protesters in Delhi on Monday, the food has barely stopped arriving at the camp, tagged Jantar Mantar after a nearby astronomical observatory.
"Thank you to everyone who is not here but sending food and water," volunteer Vuyom Chabbra, 26, told AFP.
"There is just so much of it," he said, gesturing toward piles of food parcels at the protest site in the Indian capital.
"But please send things that are more necessary. Yes, food is necessary, but if you see fans, masks, goggles, these are also very important right now."
The mostly young demonstrators have occupied the protest site since last month to demand the resignation of India's education minister over exam-paper leaks.
But what began as a grievance over the exam system has swelled into a broader expression of frustration among young Indians, drawing thousands onto the streets and triggering the biggest protests seen in Delhi in around five years.
The protests are being led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement which was launched in May by public relations graduate Abhijeet Dipke, 30.
Takeaways
Tensions escalated on Monday after police fired tear gas and charged demonstrators with batons as they attempted to march on parliament during the opening day of the session.
As activists gather beneath tarpaulin sheets in New Delhi, often holding all-night political debates, singing or reciting poetry, delivery drivers from online platforms weave through the barricades.
The supplies are being dispatched by supporters from as far as thousands of kilometres away who cannot join the protesters but are determined to help them.
Since police moved to crack down on tens of thousands of protesters in Delhi on Monday, the food has barely stopped arriving at the camp, tagged Jantar Mantar after a nearby astronomical observatory.
"Thank you to everyone who is not here but sending food and water," volunteer Vuyom Chabbra, 26, told AFP.
"There is just so much of it," he said, gesturing toward piles of food parcels at the protest site in the Indian capital.
"But please send things that are more necessary. Yes, food is necessary, but if you see fans, masks, goggles, these are also very important right now."
The mostly young demonstrators have occupied the protest site since last month to demand the resignation of India's education minister over exam-paper leaks.
But what began as a grievance over the exam system has swelled into a broader expression of frustration among young Indians, drawing thousands onto the streets and triggering the biggest protests seen in Delhi in around five years.
The protests are being led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement which was launched in May by public relations graduate Abhijeet Dipke, 30.
Takeaways
Tensions escalated on Monday after police fired tear gas and charged demonstrators with batons as they attempted to march on parliament during the opening day of the session.
Food deliveries are helping India's education-reform activists in New Delhi
© Arun SANKAR / AFP
Protesters responded by throwing stones, turning parts of the capital into scenes of running clashes.
Yet, at the bustling Jantar Mantar itself, the atmosphere is often festive.
Groups sit in circles debating politics through the night. Speakers take turns addressing crowds while also belting out protest songs and poems.
Near one corner of the site, volunteers distribute meals.
"You will see fast food, Indian breads and curries, desserts, and whatever else people have been sending," said Kaanita, a 21-year-old student.
"(But) food is a very small part. The biggest issue for us remains the resignation of the education minister," she added.
The abundance of takeaway meals has become one of the movement's more unusual features.
Joginder Singh, a 45-year-old businessman volunteering at the camp, said supporters from Mumbai, Chennai and Punjab had been placing delivery orders directly to the protest site.
"We distribute everything, giving people whatever they want," Singh said.
"Some want pizza, others burgers. These kids are the fast-food generation, and obviously like it over Indian breads and curries.
"When we feed them what they want, they will fight with twice the vigour," he said with a grin.
Managing the deliveries is not always straightforward.
Police barricades, intermittent internet connection and security checks mean volunteers often struggle to locate arriving orders.
Despite the hurdles, Akhil, a delivery rider, said he had delivered at least 50 orders since Tuesday.
"Many ordered it from outside Delhi and phoned to tell us to deliver it at the protest site," Akhil, 26, told AFP.
"The moment I finished one delivery, I received an order to deliver the next one at the same site."
According to Akhil, around a dozen riders have collectively delivered hundreds of orders in recent days.
"Our group has easily delivered about 500 orders, enough to feed at least 10,000 people at Jantar Mantar."
© 2026 AFP
Protesters responded by throwing stones, turning parts of the capital into scenes of running clashes.
Yet, at the bustling Jantar Mantar itself, the atmosphere is often festive.
Groups sit in circles debating politics through the night. Speakers take turns addressing crowds while also belting out protest songs and poems.
Near one corner of the site, volunteers distribute meals.
"You will see fast food, Indian breads and curries, desserts, and whatever else people have been sending," said Kaanita, a 21-year-old student.
"(But) food is a very small part. The biggest issue for us remains the resignation of the education minister," she added.
The abundance of takeaway meals has become one of the movement's more unusual features.
Joginder Singh, a 45-year-old businessman volunteering at the camp, said supporters from Mumbai, Chennai and Punjab had been placing delivery orders directly to the protest site.
"We distribute everything, giving people whatever they want," Singh said.
"Some want pizza, others burgers. These kids are the fast-food generation, and obviously like it over Indian breads and curries.
"When we feed them what they want, they will fight with twice the vigour," he said with a grin.
Managing the deliveries is not always straightforward.
Police barricades, intermittent internet connection and security checks mean volunteers often struggle to locate arriving orders.
Despite the hurdles, Akhil, a delivery rider, said he had delivered at least 50 orders since Tuesday.
"Many ordered it from outside Delhi and phoned to tell us to deliver it at the protest site," Akhil, 26, told AFP.
"The moment I finished one delivery, I received an order to deliver the next one at the same site."
According to Akhil, around a dozen riders have collectively delivered hundreds of orders in recent days.
"Our group has easily delivered about 500 orders, enough to feed at least 10,000 people at Jantar Mantar."
© 2026 AFP
India's police accused of exercising 'absolute brutality' against peaceful protesters
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed "stringent punishment" for those involved in exam fraud that fuelled student anger. Those are his first direct comments tied to the major protests challenging his government. Meanwhile, the movement has spread from the capital city to other major cities. FRANCE 24's Sarah Jacob tells us about the latest.
Video by: Sarah JACOB
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed "stringent punishment" for those involved in exam fraud that fuelled student anger. Those are his first direct comments tied to the major protests challenging his government. Meanwhile, the movement has spread from the capital city to other major cities. FRANCE 24's Sarah Jacob tells us about the latest.
Video by: Sarah JACOB
Issued on: 23/07/2026
FRANCE24
Angela Diffley is pleased to welcome Anish Gawande, National Spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to Mr. Gawande, India's student protests represent a generational rupture in Indian politics: the emergence of a politically fearless youth challenging a decade-long "architecture of fear" under Narendra Modi's government. He contends that the movement is about accountability rather than education policy, exposing a widening gap between a government accustomed to political dominance and a generation unwilling to accept opacity or state intimidation.
Video by: Angela DIFFLEY
Angela Diffley is pleased to welcome Anish Gawande, National Spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to Mr. Gawande, India's student protests represent a generational rupture in Indian politics: the emergence of a politically fearless youth challenging a decade-long "architecture of fear" under Narendra Modi's government. He contends that the movement is about accountability rather than education policy, exposing a widening gap between a government accustomed to political dominance and a generation unwilling to accept opacity or state intimidation.
Video by: Angela DIFFLEY
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
Young Indians are keeping up the pressure - continuing their demands for the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan - to step down. This as their online satirical group the "Cockroach People's Party" grows in stature and support. It won millions of followers on social media and tens of thousands of sign-ups since its launch in May.
Video by: Catherine Viette
India's 'Cockroach' movement spreads to Mumbai after violence in New Delhi
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally broken his silence on the student protest movement known as the “Cockroach Janta Party”. The protests have spread from the capital New Delhi to other large cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. Clashes with the police have occurred in several cities as well.
Video by: Ava LUQUET
Issued on: 23/07/2026 - FRANCE24
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally broken his silence on the student protest movement known as the “Cockroach Janta Party”. The protests have spread from the capital New Delhi to other large cities including Mumbai and Bengaluru. Clashes with the police have occurred in several cities as well.
Video by: Ava LUQUET
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