{"id":17146,"date":"2026-07-25T21:36:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T16:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=17146"},"modified":"2026-07-25T21:36:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T16:36:24","slug":"indias-cockroach-movement-ousts-education-minister-npr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=17146","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s \u2018cockroach\u2019 movement ousts education minister : NPR"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"storytext\">\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135487\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 2100;&#10;        --source-height: 1400;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1400+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A protester holds a placard after India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following nationwide protests as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest movement in Mumbai, India on Saturday.\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                A protester holds a placard after India&#8217;s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following nationwide protests as part of the Cockroach Janta Party&#8217;s protest movement in Mumbai, India on Saturday.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Ashish Vaishnav\/AP<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Ashish Vaishnav\/AP<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>NEW DELHI \u2014 India&#8217;s education minister tendered his resignation on Saturday, meeting a key demand of students whose anti-government protests swelled this week beyond the capital New Delhi and onto the streets of more than a dozen cities.<\/p>\n<p>The students held the minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, responsible for a series of leaks in nationwide exams for university seats or government jobs, which millions of students take every year.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135483-100\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5889515\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/20\/nx-s1-5889515\/india-gen-z-cockroach-party-protests\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/20\\\/nx-s1-5889515\\\/india-gen-z-cockroach-party-protests&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F0c%2F38c9af504e95b57983ae9d1d0fd5%2Fap26201449245142.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party scuffle with police as they attempt to march toward India's Parliament, demanding the resignation of the education minister, in New Delhi, Monday, July 20, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESG-S1-135483-100\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>The protests posed the most serious challenge to the 12-year rule of India&#8217;s Hindu nationalist prime minister Narendra Modi. For weeks, the government had ignored the protesters, then vilified them, with the education minister calling protest leaders &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kharge-targets-dharmendra-pradhan-over-terrorist-remark-on-protesting-students\/article71141879.ece\" target=\"_blank\">the B team of terrorists,<\/a>&#8221; according to the Indian daily The Hindu. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=z9G0LjATYNg\" target=\"_blank\">Presenters<\/a> of Modi-loyal media outlets suggested the protest leaders were paid by India&#8217;s enemy and neighbor, Pakistan.<\/p>\n<p>In a two-page letter posted on X, Pradhan said he was resigning because he didn&#8217;t want the students&#8217; anger to be exploited by &#8220;anti-national forces.&#8221; He did not clarify what he meant by &#8220;anti-national forces,&#8221; but it appeared to be a dig at insinuations that the protesters were led, or infiltrated by enemies of India. Pradhan did not apologize for the paper leaks.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-backstage-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap backstage\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Near the main protest site in New Delhi, streets echoed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DbNlLfCDJvP\/\" target=\"_blank\">cheering students.<\/a> Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old whose satirical group &#8216;Cockroach Janta Party&#8217; has been leading the protests, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reels\/DbNcw7sTUFQ\/\" target=\"_blank\">fell <\/a>to his knees on hearing the news. Then he raised his fist and announced: &#8220;We have done it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Cockroachisback\/status\/2080948916355575895\" target=\"_blank\">In a statement, <\/a>Dipke said the students had other demands: compensation for the families of students who died by suicide after questions of a medical entrance exam paper leaked in May, forcing some 2 million students to retake the test \u2013 one of the incidents that initially sparked these protests.<\/p>\n<p>The local newspaper <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/education\/ahead-of-neet-re-test-12-suicides-in-37-days-10748475\/%5C\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The Indian Express<\/em><\/a> reported at least a dozen students died by suicide following the announcement, with some leaving <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/cities\/hyderabad\/hyderabad-neet-aspirant-sheikh-sana-dies-suicide-day-before-retest-10750143\/\" target=\"_blank\">notes behind <\/a>saying they could not bear the idea of resitting the exam.<\/p>\n<p>The student leaders also demanded action against the security personnel who attacked protestors as they marched to Parliament in New Delhi earlier this week.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\"><strong>&#8216;Difficult for the state to demonize them&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135559\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 5564;&#10;        --source-height: 3709;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5564x3709+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F59%2Fc8%2F56e684cb4b7aabe21c6b21181fc8%2Fap26206451454408.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Protesters react after India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following nationwide protests as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest movement in Mumbai, India on Saturday.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Protesters react after India&#8217;s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following nationwide protests as part of the Cockroach Janta Party&#8217;s protest movement in Mumbai, India on Saturday.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Rafiq Maqbool\/AP<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Rafiq Maqbool\/AP<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Pradhan&#8217;s resignation suggests that the government had to shift tactics after protests, which began in New Delhi on June 7, dramatically swelled in size. Unlike previous protests in India&#8217;s recent history, these demonstrations cut across the country&#8217;s traditional demographic lines.<\/p>\n<p>India has the world&#8217;s largest number of young people, with around 367 million people between the ages of 15 and 29. Education is &#8220;a kind of leveler, bringing everybody together,&#8221; says sociologist <a href=\"https:\/\/raheeldhattiwala.net\/\" target=\"_blank\">Raheel Dhattiwala<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-secondary-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap secondary\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<aside id=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" class=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" aria-label=\"recommended stories\"\/>\n<!-- END ID=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><\/p>\n<p>Political analyst <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SushantSin?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\">Sushant Singh<\/a> of Yale University says because the crowd &#8220;cuts across caste, class, religion, language,&#8221; the government struggled to deploy its usual playbook. &#8220;It has become very difficult for the state to demonize them,&#8221; says Singh. &#8220;That is the uniqueness of this protest at this point.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Many protesters came from the heartland of the ruling Hindu nationalist party, a belt of territory from central to north India. Brothers Rishabh, 23, and Mohit, 22, traveled 50 miles by rickshaw, train, and metro to reach the central protest site in New Delhi. Like many Indians, they do not have a family name.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The [exam] papers are being leaked, the rich are paying for their children to pass, and [we] poor people are being left behind,&#8221; Rishabh told NPR on Friday. &#8220;Where are we supposed to go?&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135485\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 7200;&#10;        --source-height: 4800;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7200x4800+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F06%2F4c%2F81357f0a4fe0b41a8a9e2355c512%2Fgettyimages-2286627612.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporter shouts slogans at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 23, 2026 during the ongoing protest to demand the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                A Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporter shouts slogans at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 23, 2026 during the ongoing protest to demand the resignation of India&#8217;s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    SAJJAD HUSSAIN\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        SAJJAD HUSSAIN\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>But young Indians&#8217; complaints weren&#8217;t triggered by the exam leaks alone. The protests coincided with a controversial comment by India&#8217;s Chief Justice <a href=\"https:\/\/thewire.in\/rights\/offends-spirit-of-democracy-outrage-over-cji-surya-kants-cockroaches-parasites-remarks\" target=\"_blank\">Surya Kant<\/a> describing unemployed youth as &#8220;cockroaches&#8221; in May, a comment he later said was misquoted.<\/p>\n<p>The comments are what prompted Dipke to form the &#8216;Cockroach Janta Party.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>The party has since received support from prominent Indians, including author Arundhati Roy, <a href=\"https:\/\/thewire.in\/rights\/cockroach-democracy-unarmed-and-dangerous\" target=\"_blank\">who recently wrote:<\/a> &#8220;Just when hope seemed lost, they came. Young roaches riding in on the rain. The progeny of the unholy union between a judge and a joke.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"edTag\"><strong>High-profile hunger strike ends, but demands remain<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>These protests dramatically swelled in size last week after police <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/delhi-high-court-allows-sonam-wangchuk-to-shift-to-private-hospital\/article71248605.ece\" target=\"_blank\">forcibly<\/a> removed a respected educator \u2013 who was on hunger strike in solidarity with the students \u2013 from the New Delhi protest site, effectively detaining him in a <a href=\"https:\/\/frontline.thehindu.com\/the-nation\/sonam-wangchuk-cjp-delhi-hunger-strike-hospitalisation-controversy\/article71244055.ece\" target=\"_blank\">government hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESG-S1-135483-101\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>On Friday, the educator, Sonam Wangchuk, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Wangchuk66\/status\/2080471599237702014\" target=\"_blank\">announced<\/a> that he had broken his 26-day fast after receiving assurances that the government would hold authorities to account over the country&#8217;s failing exam systems.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-134603\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 7652;&#10;        --source-height: 5101;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7652x5101+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F61%2F36341d3f41259213aa985aaccffc%2Fap26157257256333.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party wear and display masks during a protest in New Delhi, Saturday.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party wear and display masks during a protest in New Delhi.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Manish Swarup\/AP<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Manish Swarup\/AP<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Wangchuk&#8217;s fast wasn&#8217;t the only driving force. Even more students held their own protests across the country after police violently cracked down on thousands of protesters who tried to march into parliament on Monday.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135483-102\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5886339\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/08\/nx-s1-5886339\/youth-seeking-political-power-in-india\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/08\\\/nx-s1-5886339\\\/youth-seeking-political-power-in-india&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x3000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa4%2Fad%2Fd00e09894947970221bf292a5ce2%2Fd03b13fd-0f79-47d2-8e10-dc5ed2fe5cea.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Youth seeking political power in India\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESG-S1-135483-102\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>Following that outcry, the prime minister Narendra Modi finally addressed students directly: &#8220;Friends, I understand that paper leak is no ordinary subject,&#8221; he<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/narendramodi\/status\/2080357811662492096?s=20\" target=\"_blank\"> began in Hindi in a post released to Instagram overnight Thursday.<\/a> He said his government had caught those accused of leaking exam questions and they &#8220;are lying in jails.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But critics noted Modi did not respond to the protesters&#8217; core demand: the resignation of the education minister. After Modi issued that statement, student leaders said they would meet with a government representative. They later told protesters they had repeated their demand for the education minister&#8217;s swift resignation. They told students, if he did not resign over the weekend, they would call for nationwide marches on Monday.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-third-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap third\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-135483-103\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5906236\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/24\/nx-s1-5906236\/india-wangchuk-hunger-strike-cockroach-protesters\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/24\\\/nx-s1-5906236\\\/india-wangchuk-hunger-strike-cockroach-protesters&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4024x4024+1012+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2Faa%2Ff5edf29445e0b3aeec6b9de81f11%2Fap26203376820395.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"A reclining protestor covers himself with a banner printed with a portrait of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist who was forcefully transferred to a hospital by the police as he staged a hunger strike in support of a movement led by Cockroach Janta Party, at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 22, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESG-S1-135483-103\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>On Saturday, they got what they asked for.<\/p>\n<p>With the minister&#8217;s resignation, it&#8217;s unclear if protest leaders will be able to maintain momentum against the government, or whether this emboldens students to make more demands of the government which tried to ignore them for weeks.<\/p>\n<p><em>Bilal Kuchay contributed reporting from New Delhi.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A protester holds a placard after India&#8217;s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following nationwide protests as part of the Cockroach Janta Party&#8217;s protest movement in Mumbai, India on Saturday. Ashish Vaishnav\/AP hide caption toggle caption Ashish Vaishnav\/AP NEW DELHI \u2014 India&#8217;s education minister tendered his resignation on Saturday, meeting a key demand of students whose&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/2100x1181+0+109\/resize\/1400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F79%2Fa0%2F0e0990784f58ab750ab61ad12277%2Fap26206436838172.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17146"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17146\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}