Thousands Join Youth-Led March Toward India’s Parliament, Demanding Education Reform
Thousands of young protesters gathered in India’s capital on Saturday and began marching toward Parliament after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called for nationwide reforms to the country’s education system. The demonstration, one of the largest youth-led protests in recent months, has drawn students, teachers, and activists from different parts of India.
The protest site was filled with demonstrators carrying banners and chanting slogans calling for fair, accessible, and improved education. In response, authorities deployed hundreds of police officers and paramilitary personnel across the area to maintain security and prevent the crowd from moving toward restricted zones.
Tensions increased after police forcibly admitted well-known activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk to a hospital. Wangchuk had been on the 21st day of a hunger strike in support of the CJP’s campaign, and many protesters described the police action as an attempt to weaken the growing movement. The incident fueled public anger and encouraged more supporters to join the march.
Delhi Police said the protesters had not received official permission to march toward Parliament and warned that the gathering violated public safety regulations. However, leaders of the CJP insisted that the demonstration would continue peacefully despite the restrictions. They argued that the right to peaceful protest should be respected and said their movement would remain non-violent.
Although its unusual name suggests otherwise, the Cockroach Janta Party is not a registered political party. It began as a satirical campaign challenging government policies but has gradually evolved into a powerful youth-driven movement. Its growing popularity reflects increasing frustration among many young Indians over the state of education and the need for meaningful reforms.
As thousands continue to gather in the heart of the capital, the protest has become more than a march. It now stands as a powerful symbol of a generation demanding that its voice be heard.
