Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been released after being detained outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence as part of education system protests.
The demonstrations, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, have emerged as one of the biggest challenges to Modi’s government since his re-election in 2024, with protesters demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and broader reforms to the examination system.
Gandhi had staged a sit-in protest on Tuesday, accusing the government of ignoring students demands and condemning a police crackdown on demonstrations in New Delhi a day earlier.
Pradhan, facing growing pressure over the handling of examination controversies, said the government remained committed to reform.
“We owe them (students) answers, reforms and accountability,” he said in a social media post.
“That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering,” he said.
The protest turned violent when demonstrators hurled stones at security forces who fired tear gas and charged into with batons, in the capital’s largest protests in five years.
Police said 60 civilians were injured and another 118 police personnel were hurt.
Protests were also held in Mumbai and Bengaluru, drawing hundreds of people.
Hundreds remained camped at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site as the CJP vowed to continue its campaign.
“Cockroaches are alive,” it said in a social media post, describing Pradhan as “incompetent”.
The CJP has attracted millions of followers on social media, presenting one of the biggest challenges to Modi since the Hindu nationalist leader secured a third term in 2024. — AFP
