Indian prime minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on Thursday as thousands of young protesters camped out on the streets of Delhi, though he stopped short of meeting their demands for the resignation of the country’s education minister.
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 to join the ranks of students while channelling broader frustration.
Addressing the issue, Mr Modi announced fast-track courts to handle examination paper leak cases. “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!” Modi wrote on X.
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.
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.”
Don't insult students, responds India's opposition leader to Modi's video
Narendra 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
Indian 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
Prime 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
The one big difference between India’s ‘cockroach’ protests and other revolutions across South Asia
From K-pop memes to Strava ‘runs’ away from police, how Gen Z is redefining protests in India
Social 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.
How supporters across India are feeding Delhi’s ‘cockroach’ protesters
How 'cockroaches' protest became a problem for Modi
India’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
Modi offers first concession to ‘cockroach’ protests but stops short of firing minister
Indian 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.
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