Prime minister Narendra Modi has vowed to take care of the country's youth in a midnight video after the viral 'cockroach' party called for nationwide protests to be held today.
The “cockroach” protests began more than a month ago over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs. The movement has since expanded beyond exam grievances, drawing professionals and families to join the ranks of students while channelling broader frustration.
In a late night video message, Modi said he would announce "strict action" over the exam leak scandal. He earlier said he would set up fast-track courts to process the cases against those responsible.
The announcement did little to calm the protesters, as the leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, which launched the movement, said they would not end their demonstrations until the education minister resigned. Authorities turned parts of the Indian capital into a fortress on Thursday, closing more than a dozen metro stations and cutting internet access as thousands joined the protest.
However, the leaders of the cockroach movement and the government have scheduled a second round of talks at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Friday.
Read MoreOne image defines India’s ‘cockroach’ protests: a 27-year-old woman before a police van of detainees
The one big difference between India’s ‘cockroach’ protests and other revolutions across South Asia
How supporters across India are feeding Delhi’s ‘cockroach’ protesters
From K-pop memes to Strava ‘runs’ away from police, how Gen Z is redefining protests in India
Key Points
- Modi again addresses paper leak issue, vows 'strict action'
- Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike
- How 'cockroaches' protest became a problem for Modi
- What is the Cockroach Janta Party?
- India orders GitHub to block Bitchat app to curb youth protest
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike
14:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIndian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike that helped galvanize a youth movement that's become one of India’s largest protests in recent years, but demonstrators vowed to continue until the education minister resigns.
Wangchuk’s fast became a rallying point for India’s “Cockroach” protests, which began more than a month ago demanding education reforms after alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams.
Since then, the movement has tapped into broader public anger over unemployment, government accountability and economic opportunity, drawing professionals, families and activists to demonstrations in New Delhi and cities across the country.
More here.
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike after 26 days
Watch: How Gen Z is redefining protests in India
13:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarCockroach party founder says members could get arrested tonight
12:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarCockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that the party's team members including him could be arrested tonight as he urged protesters to continue the youth movement.
He told reporters this afternoon that the demand of the country’s youth was “very simple and clear” that education minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign.
"According to new input, CJP team members may be arrested tonight," he added.
Indian government seeks time to respond to protesters' demands
11:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarLeaders of India's youth-led "cockroach" movement said today that the government has asked for time until tomorrow afternoon to respond to their core demands, including the resignation of the country's education minister, following talks between the two sides.
The talks came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes that the two sides could reach a breakthrough after tens of thousands of angry young people converged in the capital Delhi to demand the minister's resignation over a exam paper leak scandal.
The anti-government protests represent one of the biggest challenges to prime minister Narendra Modi's authority since he came to power in 2014. Opposition parties have echoed the movement's demands and have disrupted the monsoon session of parliament that began this week.
India orders GitHub to block Bitchat app to curb youth protest
11:11 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIndia's home ministry has reportedly directed GitHub to remove repositories hosting the Bitchat app, which protesters in New Delhi have been using to communicate due to internet shutdowns in parts of the capital.
The ministry said the Bluetooth mesh messaging application could be exploited to coordinate unlawful assemblies and circumvent lawful restrictions during public-order situations, Money Control reported.
the government of india does not like technologies like bitchat and wants it taken down pic.twitter.com/gjzMg1NGCi
— jack (@jack) July 24, 2026
Opposition parties in parliament protest against Modi and demand his minister's resignation
10:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar#WATCH | Delhi | Congress and Opposition MPs in Parliament protest against PM Modi and demand that he remove Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pic.twitter.com/u72rDA5yH6
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026
Cockroach party founder heads back to protest after falling ill
09:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAbhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical Cockroach Janata Party, said he is returning to the Delhi protest site after being administered IVs and injections.
"Heading back to Jantar Mantar after a night full of IVs, injections, and blood tests. Physically I’m still feeling weak due to fever, but the fight must go on," he wrote on X.
"Our peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns."
Cockroach party says won't accept anything less than minister's resignation
08:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAshutosh Ranka, a spokesperson with the cockroach party, has responded to prime minister Narendra Modi's midnight video.
"They are now afraid because of you all... You may not be aware... PM Modi released a video at 12.30 am. This is for the first time that PM Modi has released a video so late at night," Ranka said this morning as he addressed a sea of people at the Delhi protest site.
"He said the government is serious about the youths. This government is very sensitive and will take strict action. If Modiji wants to take strict action, then he should sack Dharmendra Pradhan immediately. We won't accept anything less than that."
How Gen Z is redefining protests in India
07:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarGen Z protesters demanding the resignation of India’s education minister over alleged irregularities in the country’s competitive examinations have turned memes, viral videos and pop culture references into weapons of dissent.
Social media has become an extension of demonstrations taking place on the streets of Delhi and other cities.
More here.
From K-pop memes to Strava ‘runs’ away from police, how Gen Z is redefining protests
Scenes from the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi on Friday morning
06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Police crackdown on India’s ‘cockroach’ protest appears to backfire as support for movement surges
06:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSupport for the Cockroach Janta Party, a pressure group named ironically after critical comments directed at young people by the country’s most senior judge, has only surged after police and paramilitary used brute force and tear gas to quash Monday’s largely peaceful march.
At the protest site The Independent met students and minors who had been caught up in that violence, many displaying serious injuries that they said were received at the hands of the police.
More here.
Police crackdown on India’s ‘cockroach’ protest appears to backfire as support surges
Cockroach party founder presses for minister's resignation
06:04 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAbhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical Cockroach Janata Party, has been unwavering in his demand for the resignation of the country's education minister.
"Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign," he wrote in one of his latest posts on X during the early hours of today.
Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign!
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 24, 2026
Government shuts down 17 metro rail stations near Delhi protest site
05:52 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAuthorities in the Indian capital have shut down 17 metro rail stations around the designated protest site of Jantar Mantar, where thousands of people have been camping for days.
The shutdown appears to be an effort to prevent students from reaching the site of the protest.
The Delhi police were also seen arbitrarily stopping young people in auto-rickshaws and cars from reaching central parts of the city.
Cockroach party leaders and Modi's ministers to hold talks today
05:35 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarLeaders of the cockroach party and government ministers will hold a second round of talks today in New Delhi.
"A discussion has been called for; we are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that it be at a neutral venue. The Constitution Club of India has been chosen," said Saurav Das, spokesperson of the party.
Thousands of students led by the satirical cockroach party have been protesting for more than a month, demanding the resignation of the country's education minister.
Indian government removes education secretary
04:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Indian government yesterday removed higher education secretary Vineet Joshi amid the ongoing protest demanding the education minister's resignation.
Joshi was replaced by Naresh Pal Gangwar as the education secretary. Joshi has been named the secretary in the department of Panchayati Raj.
Watch: Student protesters in Delhi allege pellet gun use by Indian forces
11:14 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDon't insult students, responds India's opposition leader to Modi's video
04:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarNarendra Modi's political rival, Rahul Gandhi, has criticised the prime minister's video message from last night promising strict action over exam paper leaks.
"Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Don't insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video."
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike
04:13 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIndian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike during the early hours of Friday that helped galvanize a youth movement that's become one of India’s largest protests in recent years.
In a post on X, Wangchuk said he ended his fast in the presence of two federal ministers after appeals from dozens of members of parliament and following “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.” He did not elaborate on the talks.
Modi issues midnight selfie video as youth movement grows in numbers
04:04 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPrime minister Narendra Modi in a midnight video vowed to announce more "strict actions" today in paper leak cases.
"Friends, I know that paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families. That is why many steps have been taken in the last two and a half months," Modi said.
"The culprits have been caught and are in jail. Our most important responsibility was to ensure that students do not waste a single year. It was very important to take the exams immediately," he said.
He added: "I gave instructions to the departments for the fast-track court. Today, the departments worked hard and gave me the approval late at night. Tomorrow, there will be a discussion in the cabinet. After the suggestions of the cabinet members, it will be given its final form. And from Monday, when the second week of parliament starts, we will try to get that bill passed as soon as possible."
Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as 'Cockroach' protesters vow to press on
03:40 , Sonal Hayat
Indian activist Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike as 'Cockroach' protesters vow to press on
The one big difference between India’s ‘cockroach’ protests and other revolutions across South Asia
02:49 , Namita Singh
Why India’s ‘cockroach’ protests are different from other South Asian Gen-Z movements
From K-pop memes to Strava ‘runs’ away from police, how Gen Z is redefining protests in India
01:48 , Namita SinghSocial media has becoming an extension of demonstrations taking place on the streets of Delhi and other cities.
Protestors dressed as Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, and Iron Man all made appearances, joined by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the independence movement, and BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian constitution, as if they had returned for the “latest season” of Indian politics.
From K-pop memes to Strava ‘runs’ away from police, how Gen Z is redefining protests
How supporters across India are feeding Delhi’s ‘cockroach’ protesters
Friday 24 July 2026 00:45 , Namita Singh
How supporters across India are feeding Delhi’s ‘cockroach’ protesters
How 'cockroaches' protest became a problem for Modi
Friday 24 July 2026 00:14 , Daniel KeaneIndia’s “cockroach” protest movement’s rapid spread beyond student groups points to growing frustration among young Indians and resembles a broader trend across South Asia, where young people have played a central role in anti-government movements in recent years.
Though India's opposition parties remain divided and political space for criticism has shrunk under Modi, the ruling government must face the unusual challenge of a decentralized movement of young people rather than established political organisations.
Opposition parties and rights activists have backed the campaign, framing it as a broader fight for democratic accountability and the right to peaceful protest.
The movement also has given India's opposition a potent platforms to broaden its appeal among young voters while challenging Modi's government across ideological lines.
With hundreds of millions of voters under 35, including millions of first-time voters, India's youth are a crucial voting bloc.
Their growing frustration could have wider political implications ahead of future elections.
One image defines India’s ‘cockroach’ protests: a 27-year-old woman before a police van of detainees
Thursday 23 July 2026 23:44 , Namita Singh
How a 27-year-old became the symbol of India’s ‘cockroach’ protests
Modi offers first concession to ‘cockroach’ protests but stops short of firing minister
Thursday 23 July 2026 22:30 , Namita SinghIndian prime minister Narendra Modi issued his first comments on Thursday aimed at pacifying hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered across the country seeking the resignation of the education minister, even as he stopped short of meeting their demands.
Report:
Modi breaks silence on ‘cockroach’ protests but stops short of firing minister
Modi’s government invites protesters for dialogue
Thursday 23 July 2026 21:30 , Namita SinghAmid Gen Z protests that refuse to die down, union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday reiterated the government's commitment to dialogue, stating that it has extended multiple formal invitations to student representatives for discussions.
“This is a part of the series of continuous steps taken by the government for the welfare of the students. Humbly, I appeal to you all to come and have discussions,” he told ANI.
The Cockroach Janata Party earlier rejected an offer to have a meeting at the house of minister JP Nadda’s, demanding to see him at a neutral place.
“The ministers told us not to call them to Jantar Mantar since people are very angry and they won’t be able to come there. We offered to hold talks at a neutral venue,” spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.
Modi again addresses paper leak issue, vows 'strict action'
Thursday 23 July 2026 21:13 , Sonal HayatNarendra Modi doubled down on remarks he made earlier on Thursday, returning to the issue in a late-night post on X in which he stressed that those responsible for examination paper leaks would face 'strict action'.
‘Paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families. That is why many steps have been taken in the last two and a half months,’ Modi said in the X post.
More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow’s Cabinet! pic.twitter.com/NRysBukk5U
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
Indian celebrities extend support to students
Thursday 23 July 2026 20:15 , Namita SinghSeveral prominent Indian actors and sportspeople have voiced support for the demonstrations in Delhi and criticised Monday's scenes of alleged police brutality.
Celebrities including Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt expressed solidarity while several actors including Shabana Azmi, Imran Khan and Huma Qureshi joined the protests in Delhi and Mumbai.
Actor R Madhavan, who recently starred in the popular Dhurandhar franchise that has been criticised as nationalist propaganda in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said that he believes “every student deserves a system that is fair, transparent and built on merit”.
“As someone who has always believed in the limitless potential of India’s youth, I share the concern and disappointment felt by so many students and parents today,” he wrote.
Actor Alia Bhatt said that the resolve of the students who are protesting “is a mirror held up to all of us, asking whether we are truly listening to the very people who will inherit and shape this country’s tomorrow”.
Actor Salman Khan said on Wednesday that it was “sad” that the peaceful protest “had to take a violent turn”.
“My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt,” he said on social media. “Paper leak is a very serious issue, and I am glad to know and see that the kids of our country have come together for a better educational system.”
A single photo captures the resolve behind India's 'cockroach' protests
Thursday 23 July 2026 19:30 , Namita SinghThe blue police van dominates the frame.
A young woman, Rhiya Ahir, stands in front of it in a rain-soaked hoodie, one hand pressed against the metal.
Behind the windshield sit police officers. Inside the van are young protesters detained after demonstrations in India’s financial capital Mumbai on Wednesday.
India’s “cockroach” protests began more than a month ago over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams for medical schools and government jobs. Since then, the movement has grown beyond exam complaints, drawing professionals and families and reflecting broader public frustration.
The confrontation lasted about 40 minutes.
Ahir said she had been waiting for friends before joining the protest when she saw the police van. She asked officers if they had the required paperwork to detain the protesters.
Unsatisfied with the response, she first walked alongside the moving vehicle. When she could no longer keep up, she stepped in front of it.
The 27-year-old said she could not accept seeing ordinary citizens being treated like criminals simply for protesting.
The driver revved the engine, startling her. Ahir said the possibility of being detained or injured crossed her mind, but she refused to move. She held her ground until the protesters were released.
Ahir admitted she was afraid. But conviction prevailed.“I knew one thing,” she said. “If I had started this, I had to end it.”
Why millions of Indians are proudly calling themselves ‘cockroaches’
Thursday 23 July 2026 18:30 , Namita SinghIt began as a satirical movement online, embracing the humble cockroach as a way to voice the frustrations of young people in India after a series of scandals rocking the education sector.
Now, the so-called “Cockroach Janta (People’s) Party” has captured the attention of the nation, with a weeks-long sit-in protest in the capital culminating in a march on parliament that was met by tear gas and baton charges from the police.
Read more about the party, which has dubbed themselves as the "voice of the lazy and unemployed":
Why millions of Indians are proudly calling themselves ‘cockroaches’
Delhi police given power to carry out preventive detention under stringent national security law
Thursday 23 July 2026 17:45 , Namita SinghThe Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has authorised the commissioner of police to carry out preventive detention of protesters under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
The NSA allows preventive detention of individuals if “acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the State or…the maintenance of Public order or…the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community”.
It allows for preventive detention without immediate criminal prosecution for a specified period.
The authorisation, given by the Lieutenant Governor, will remain in force till 18 October.
The police have clarified that the order is “routine”, adding that it is unconnected with the ongoing street protests by students demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
What sets apart India's cockroach protest from other revolutions in South Asia
Thursday 23 July 2026 17:00 , Namita SinghAs tens of thousands of GenZ protesters take to the streets of Delhidemanding the resignation of the country’s education minister, the scenes in India's capital have been widely compared with recent popular uprisings in several countries across South Asia.
But will they topple the government in India, like the GenZ protests did in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal
Report:
Why India’s ‘cockroach’ protests are different from other South Asian Gen-Z movements
Protests reflect rising youth anger
Thursday 23 July 2026 16:15 , Namita SinghFor many young Indians, the protests have become one of the few visible expressions of dissent in a country where demonstrations against Narendra Modi’s government have led to a broader crackdown on activists, opposition figures and public protests.
The movement’s rapid growth beyond student groups reflects wider frustration among young Indians and echoes a broader trend across South Asia, where young people have driven anti-government movements in recent years.
The movement has also gained a following among Indians of all ages over concerns about government accountability, unemployment and economic opportunity.
Opposition parties have backed the protests, using the issue to challenge the government in Parliament. Demonstrations and solidarity events have been held in other Indian cities, reflecting how the movement has spread beyond the capital.
market that has struggled to create enough secure, well-paying jobs. Despite years of rapid economic growth, many young people say their prospects have not improved.
As one of the country’s largest voting blocs, India’s youth could also become an increasingly important political force ahead of future elections.
Modi tries to contain protest fallout
Thursday 23 July 2026 15:30 , Namita SinghIndia's prime minister Narendra Modi addressed the protesters' demands for the first time on Thursday, though he did not mention the Cockroach Janta Party or the unrest in Delhi directly.
The key demand of the protest movement since it began last month has been the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and accountability from the government for a debacle involving the cancellation of a major university entrance exam.
Modi said today he would set up fast-track courts to handle the alleged paper leaks that led to the exam being scrapped, vowing "strict punishment" for those involved.
Fast-track courts are special courts created to speed up cases in India’s notoriously slow justice system.
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!,” Modi wrote on X.Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, which launched the protest movement, said they would not end their demonstrations until the education minister resigned.
Staying true to the movement’s tongue-in-cheek style, its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, responded by posting a meme of Pradhan captioned: “Hi, my name is Nothing.”
India protest movement holds capital sit-in as police crack down on demonstrators
Thursday 23 July 2026 14:45 , Namita SinghThousands of young protesters were camped on the streets of India’s capital New Delhi on Thursday, defying new restrictions in the latest show of strength for a movement that has become one of the biggest challenges to prime minister Narendra Modi’s government.
India’s “Cockroach” protests began more than a month ago over alleged leaks in some of the country’s most competitive entrance exams for medical colleges and government jobs.
The movement has since expanded beyond exam grievances, drawing professionals and families while channeling broader frustration.
Thursday’s demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in New Delhi, followed overnight clashes in which police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, the second such confrontation this week.
On Monday, thousands of protesters had defied restrictions and marched toward Parliament before police broke up the demonstration with tear gas and batons.
Protesters regrouped by Thursday morning, returning to the protest site despite roadblocks, while authorities suspended Delhi Metro services at 16 stations across central New Delhi in an effort to limit access to the demonstrations.
Modi’s government invites protesters for dialogue
Thursday 23 July 2026 14:00 , Namita SinghAmid Gen Z protests that refuse to die down, union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday reiterated the government's commitment to dialogue, stating that it has extended multiple formal invitations to student representatives for discussions.
“This is a part of the series of continuous steps taken by the government for the welfare of the students. Humbly, I appeal to you all to come and have discussions,” he told ANI.
The Cockroach Janata Party earlier rejected an offer to have a meeting at the house of minister JP Nadda’s, demanding to see him at a neutral place.
“The ministers told us not to call them to Jantar Mantar since people are very angry and they won’t be able to come there. We offered to hold talks at a neutral venue,” spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.
In pictures: Meme language of Gen Z protesters
Thursday 23 July 2026 13:15 , Namita Singh
Indian celebrities extend support to students
Thursday 23 July 2026 12:30 , Namita SinghSeveral prominent Indian actors and sportspeople have voiced support for the demonstrations in Delhi and criticised Monday's scenes of alleged police brutality.
Celebrities including Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt expressed solidarity while several actors including Shabana Azmi, Imran Khan and Huma Qureshi joined the protests in Delhi and Mumbai.
Actor R Madhavan, who recently starred in the popular Dhurandhar franchise that has been criticised as nationalist propaganda in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said that he believes “every student deserves a system that is fair, transparent and built on merit”.
“As someone who has always believed in the limitless potential of India’s youth, I share the concern and disappointment felt by so many students and parents today,” he wrote.
Actor Alia Bhatt said that the resolve of the students who are protesting “is a mirror held up to all of us, asking whether we are truly listening to the very people who will inherit and shape this country’s tomorrow”.
Actor Salman Khan said on Wednesday that it was “sad” that the peaceful protest “had to take a violent turn”.
“My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt,” he said on social media. “Paper leak is a very serious issue, and I am glad to know and see that the kids of our country have come together for a better educational system.”
