Indian Youth Protests over Exam Leak

Thousands of young Indians marched toward Parliament on July 20 demanding accountability after leaked questions forced the cancellation of the national medical entrance exam, affecting more than two million students. Police reported approximately 180 people injured in clashes between protesters and security forces.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi joined demonstrations on July 21, marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence and staging a sit-in demanding resignations. The recently formed Cockroach People's Party announced it would suspend further marches to prevent additional injuries, instead planning a sit-in at police headquarters. Activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly hospitalized after a three-week hunger strike.

Prime Minister Modi announced a new examination system designed to prevent future leaks, while Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan promised reforms. Several thousand supporters gathered again on July 22 continuing pressure for ministerial resignations.

On July 21, 2026, Delhi Police forcibly removed and detained Indian opposition leaders, including Congress party figures Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alongside Akhilesh Yadav, during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence. The demonstration, which prompted police to stop the political leaders at the scene, sought government accountability over alleged medical examination paper leaks and associated police action against student demonstrators.

The political standoff led to the adjournment of the Indian parliament for a second consecutive day as opposition members demanded a formal legislative debate on the paper leaks. Discussions at the protest site between Gandhi and Union Minister Jitendra Singh ended without resolution, with Singh alleging that Gandhi backtracked on an agreement to debate the issue. Meanwhile, opposition parties continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the exam leaks and police crackdowns.

Educational activist Sonam Wangchuk has vowed to continue his hunger strike after police used tear gas and batons to disperse Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters near India's parliament on Monday.

Wangchuk, who has consumed only salt and water since 28 June, was forcibly admitted to hospital on 18 July after a court ordered health monitoring. He has lost more than 9 kg and was diagnosed with dehydration. The CJP movement, named after a senior judge's derogatory remark about unemployed youth, is demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks, including the cancellation of the NEET entrance test taken by 2.3 million candidates.

Central minister JP Nadda met CJP leaders, who said protests will continue until demands are met. Wangchuk's wife showed reporters a handwritten note confirming his resolve to continue fasting in protest of police action.

Indian police fired teargas and charged with batons on Sunday to prevent thousands of demonstrators from marching to the federal parliament in New Delhi on the opening day of the monsoon session. The Cockroach Janta Party, a youth-led movement born out of outrage over leaked national exams, had demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a scandal that invalidated a medical entrance test taken by more than 2.3 million students.

Police had barred the march and banned gatherings of five or more people around the parliament district, calling the protest illegal. The clashes continued into the evening, and opposition leader Dimple Yadav was detained. Opposition figures including Mallikarjun Kharge and Mahua Moitra voiced support, while the leader of the opposition in the upper house condemned the use of force.

The party was founded in May by an Indian graduate inspired after a chief justice referred to unemployed youth as "cockroaches", rapidly amassing millions of followers online.