NEW DELHI, July 23, 2026 — Organizers of India’s youth-led “Cockroach” movement have called for peaceful nationwide demonstrations as protests over examination-paper leaks place growing pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to the examination system. The movement says the leaks affected approximately two million candidates.
Authorities shut 16 metro stations and restricted mobile internet service in parts of central Delhi on Thursday. The measures disrupted commuting, online payments and operations at shops and restaurants.
The government has invited protest representatives to participate in talks. In his first detailed response to the controversy, Modi proposed special courts to handle examination-leak cases.
The name of the movement originated from a social-media response to remarks by Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant. The judge subsequently said his comments about young people had been misinterpreted.
Why it matters: The demonstrations have developed into one of the largest youth challenges faced by Modi’s government during his current term.
