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Political pressure on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is mounting as thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) continue protests in New Delhi despite persistent rain.
The youth-led movement, which began with demands for education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, gained fresh momentum on Tuesday when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several senior opposition leaders joined demonstrators outside the Prime Minister’s official residence.
The opposition leaders were protesting Monday’s police action against CJP demonstrators, during which police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters. At least 60 people, including demonstrators and police personnel, were reportedly injured.
Videos shared by the Congress on social media showed Rahul Gandhi and several opposition lawmakers being forcibly detained by police and taken away in buses.
Gandhi was seen being pushed by police officers before he and other detained leaders were released later that night.
The unrest began on Monday, the opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session, when thousands gathered in central Delhi in response to the CJP’s “March to Parliament” call.
Police dispersed the crowd with baton charges and tear gas.
Authorities also dismantled the movement’s main protest stage and temporary camp at Delhi’s historic Jantar Mantar, but demonstrators refused to leave and have continued their sit-in protest.
A day after the clashes, several opposition leaders, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, and veteran politician Sharad Pawar, visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the protesters.
Later on Tuesday, Congress MPs led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi staged a surprise protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding the resignations of Dharmendra Pradhan, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Prime Minister Modi.
Rahul Gandhi accused the government of using excessive force against students and said it should apologise for the police crackdown.
He claimed the government had blocked a parliamentary debate on the issue, leaving the opposition with no option but to protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence.
He said he had requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to allow a discussion, but was told government approval was required, which he argued demonstrated the government’s unwillingness to debate the issue.
However, Union Minister Jitendra Singh rejected Gandhi’s allegations, saying the government had agreed to a discussion but that Congress later insisted on linking it to the resignation of the education minister.
He accused Rahul Gandhi of deliberately escalating tensions instead of protesting at the designated venue.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also responded publicly for the first time after Monday’s violence, accusing the Congress of “shamelessly using students as political tools.”
In a post on X, Pradhan said that despite the government’s willingness to hold a full discussion, Congress had chosen “political theatre over democratic debate.”
He added that students need solutions, reforms and accountability—not political spectacle—and said the government remained committed to addressing their concerns.
Although he did not mention the CJP or the ongoing protests by name, protesters continue to demand his resignation. The movement has not yet issued an official response to his remarks.
The Cockroach Janata Party is a satirical political movement that emerged earlier this year after India’s chief justice used the term “cockroach” while commenting on unemployed youth, triggering widespread controversy.
Although the chief justice later clarified that the remark referred to holders of fake degrees, activists adopted the label and transformed it into a protest movement.
While the CJP is not a registered political party, Monday’s massive mobilisation demonstrated its ability to draw thousands of people onto the streets.
Protesters have been camping at Jantar Mantar for nearly a month. The movement gained international attention after noted education reformer and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest and began a hunger strike on June 28.
Police moved him to a hospital on Saturday, where he has continued his fast.
Demonstrations supporting the CJP have also spread to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
Political analysts say the protests have become one of the most visible public movements against the Modi government in recent years.
