CJP protests at Jantar Mantar: The youth movement India's Modi didn't see coming - BBC News

The CJP protest began with exam paper leaks. It became India's biggest student movement in years - why?

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Why have thousands taken to the streets? India's cockroach protest explained

India correspondentPublished24 July 2026Updated 1 hour agoIt began with a fear familiar to millions of young Indians: if the examinations that determine their future cannot be trusted, what can?

Weeks later, on Monday, tens of thousands of young men and women tried to march on India's parliament. Police responded with tear gas and baton charges. Thousands more have returned to the streets in the days since.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement born out of anger over repeated examination paper leaks, quickly became India's biggest student mobilisation in years.