Indian 'Cockroach Movement' Leader to Hold Talks with Government, Nationwide Protests Continue

(Central News Agency, New Delhi, 24 - comprehensive international news) Today, representatives of India's youth-led 'Cockroach Movement' will begin talks with the government to resolve the deadlock caused by a nationwide exam leak scandal. However, the movement's spokesperson stated that protest activities will continue across the country.

According to Reuters, this decision—announced just hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike—has raised hopes that both sides may break the deadlock. The crisis has already drawn tens of thousands of angry youth to the capital, New Delhi, demanding that the Education Minister resign over the exam leak scandal.

This wave of protests has become the biggest challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faced from youth since coming to power in 2014. Opposition parties have rallied behind the protesters’ demands, disrupting the monsoon session of parliament that began this week.

Saurav Das, spokesperson for the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP), told reporters that talks between government officials and CJP leaders will be held at a neutral location.

CJP is not an actual political party. It began as an online satirical political movement, parodying the name of Modi's 'Bharatiya Janata Party' (BJP).

"We hope the government comes with an open mind, ready to listen to citizens who have been on the streets for so long. We will clearly explain our demands and expect the government to take them seriously," said Das.

Das emphasized that nationwide protests will continue. "We will not back down. True awakening begins at the grassroots level, and that is exactly what we need now."

At the protest site in Jantar Mantar Park, central New Delhi, many young people said they will continue demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for the chaos in national exams.

CJP began as a small online satire movement with only a few hundred youth participants. However, after the nationwide medical school entrance exam was canceled in May due to leaked questions—impacting nearly 2 million candidates—the movement rapidly expanded, with followers swelling into the millions.

On the 20th, thousands of supporters defied a ban and marched toward parliament, leading police to use tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, sparking violent clashes. On the evening of the 22nd, over 10,000 demonstrators gathered again in central New Delhi, resulting in further violence.

Analysts say the movement's surging popularity reflects widespread youth frustration over job shortages and repeated exam leak scandals. They warn that the government must respond effectively to this crisis. (Translation: Ho Hung-ju) 1150724