India's 'Cockroach' Movement Ends Protests After Victory

India's youth-led "Cockroach" movement on Saturday announced an end to its weeks-long nationwide protests after the government accepted its key demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in the country's education system.

Pradhan confirmed his resignation in a post on X, handing a major victory to the movement, which organised demonstrations, sit-ins and hunger strikes across the country. His departure marks one of the most significant concessions made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in response to sustained public protests during its more than 12 years in power.

The movement began over a month ago following allegations of question paper leaks in several major entrance examinations. Initially centred on education reforms, it evolved into a broader campaign demanding greater government accountability, more employment opportunities and improved economic prospects. Students, professionals, parents and activists joined demonstrations in New Delhi and other cities.

Following the minister's resignation, protest organisers said the government had also agreed to implement wider education reforms, compensate the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the examination leak controversy, and refrain from taking legal action against protesters.

"We urge everyone to peacefully withdraw from protest sites," Ashutosh Ranka, spokesperson for the Cockroach Janta Party, which launched the movement, told reporters in New Delhi.

Thousands of protesters gathered at the main protest site in the capital celebrated the announcement, waving Indian flags and embracing one another after learning of Pradhan's resignation.

Prachi Kumar, a corporate employee who joined the demonstrations, said the minister's departure was necessary to ensure accountability within the education system.

The Cockroach Janta Party also declared victory in a post on X, writing: "DEMOCRACY WINS!"

The protests emerged as one of the strongest public challenges to Modi's administration in recent years. Demonstrators continued their campaign despite police using tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, including during a march towards Parliament earlier this week that left several students injured.

In an attempt to defuse the unrest, the government had earlier announced plans to establish fast-track courts for examination paper leak cases and introduce tougher anti-cheating laws. Protest leaders, however, argued that those measures failed to address the issue of political accountability.

Opposition parties supported the demonstrations throughout the campaign, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi describing Pradhan's resignation as an important step towards reforming India's education system.