India's youth-led "Cockroach" movement said on Tuesday it will continue its nationwide protest campaign but will no longer organise marches, a day after a violent police crackdown left scores of protesters and security personnel injured in central New Delhi.
The announcement came after thousands of demonstrators attempted to march toward parliament on Monday, in what has become the biggest grassroots challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term.
Delhi Police said nearly 180 people were injured in the clashes, including 118 police and security personnel and 60 protesters.
Authorities also detained 70 demonstrators and said legal action would follow.
‘Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’ founder Abhijeet Dipke said the group halted the march to prevent further injuries.
"We will not march again because the police will hurt the youth again," Dipke told reporters, adding that more than 150 protesters were receiving hospital treatment.
Around 150 to 200 supporters gathered peacefully at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Tuesday under heavy security, chanting slogans as paramilitary forces patrolled the area.
Exam leak outrage fuels movement
The months-old Cockroach Janta Party began as an online satirical campaign but has evolved into a nationwide youth movement demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks that affected more than two million students in May.
The protests have attracted millions of Gen Z supporters, placing mounting pressure on the government over transparency and accountability in India's education system.
