India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement has drawn tens of thousands of protesters to Delhi over repeated leaks in major public examination papers, with demonstrators demanding education reform and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police used tear gas and baton charges when protesters attempted to march on parliament, but organisers say the campaign will continue. The movement matters because it challenges the government’s ability to run a fair examination system, which many young people see as essential to social mobility.

The CJP has become India’s largest student mobilisation in years and is supported by activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended a 26-day hunger strike after reportedly losing 11kg. Analysts say its appeal cuts across caste, class and gender, unlike protests centred on a particular ideology, policy or community. This may make it a difficult political challenge for Narendra Modi’s BJP, as many participants are aspirational voters and parents rather than established opponents of the party.