Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, were forcibly removed and detained by Delhi Police during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, demanding justice for students protesting the NEET paper leak and condemning alleged police brutalities.
Actors Ayesha Khan, Imran Khan, Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem have joined the nationwide youth protests.
'For the rest of his tenure, people will start with the assumption that even Modi can be forced to bow down'
The CJP's rapid rise on social media reflects growing digital dissent and youth frustration with issues like unemployment and exam-paper leaks.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), arrived in Delhi on Saturday ahead of a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar, and urged supporters to maintain discipline and ensure that the protest remains peaceful.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has announced an indefinite hunger strike starting June 28 at Jantar Mantar if the government fails to address demands concerning the NEET paper leak and issues related to Ladakh's environment and cultural heritage. He expects a response by June 27.
The Mumbai police on Thursday ordered a probe and removed a police driver from the duty roster after a viral video purportedly showed him threatening student protesters with false narcotics charges if they returned to demonstrate.
Omi Vaidya, known as Chatur from '3 Idiots', has publicly supported climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi, drawing attention to Wangchuk's deteriorating health and the inspiration he provided for Aamir Khan's character in the film.
Security has been increased at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi ahead of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's visit to meet activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike protesting NEET irregularities. Kejriwal has expressed support for the protest and its demand for the Union Education Minister's resignation.
The Congress escalated its campaign against alleged examination irregularities by marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, transforming the issue into a direct challenge to his political authority and demanding the resignations of top government officials.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, expresses concerns about potential arrest upon his return to India, but remains committed to protesting against the Union Education Minister over alleged shortcomings in the education system.
The protest at Jantar Mantar against alleged paper leaks and irregularities in public examinations, initially led by students, has now entered its seventh week and is increasingly drawing support from senior citizens, who view it as a fight for the nation's future and education reforms.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led online campaign turned protest movement, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the resignation or sacking of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests. The CJP, which organised a protest at Jantar Mantar, warned of nationwide agitation if their demands are not met.
Dialogue must be encouraged rather than adoption of hardline stands, violence and use of force, recommends Biswajit Dasgupta.
Union minister J P Nadda on Wednesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of playing politics over the NEET paper leak and urged the Opposition to allow an "intensive" discussion on the issue in Parliament to find a "permanent solution" to the problem, instead of indulging in a blame game.
'Whatever is happening is wrong. Why is the government sleeping? This is wrong.'
"I was thinking I would not be required to sit on a protest. I am sad I have to sit on a fast again. I am not doing it happily; it is not easy either. I may even die, but even if I die, I will not step back," said Sonam Wangchuk, climate activist and educator, regarding his indefinite fast for Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke plans to return to India to launch a peaceful protest seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination-related lapses.
Students, college-goers, competitive exam aspirants, and parents gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for a protest organised by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, expressing deep concerns over recurring examination controversies, result uncertainties, and a perceived lack of accountability within the education system.
As Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike enters its 19th day, critics question why the government has remained silent despite mounting concerns over student welfare, observes Harishchandra.
The campaign, launched under the leadership of IYC in-charge Manish Sharma and the wing's president Uday Bhanu Chib, seeks to reclaim the term 'cockroaches', which the organisation said had been used to mock protesting youth.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has stated that the ban on the Cockroach Janata Party's social media handles is a symptom of widespread frustration among India's youth regarding employment, competitive examinations, and economic pressures, urging the government to address these concerns through policy changes.
An activist in Mathura, India, protested the pollution of the Yamuna River by dressing as a cockroach and staging a demonstration at the municipal corporation office.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has rejected Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's claim that he was 'unsure' of the online movement's origins, asserting he considers himself an 'honorary cockroach'.
Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has voiced his support for the online 'cockroach' movement, urging the government to engage with the concerns raised by youngsters instead of suppressing their digital expression. He described himself as an 'honorary cockroach' and praised the movement's creative and non-violent approach to dissent.
Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has invoked the case of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal getting bail to campaign ahead of India's general elections, as he complained before the Supreme Court about the mistreatment meted to him in jail.
Khan said he was hit by four bullets on his right leg during the assassination attempt.
The home ministry also ordered a probe by the Computer Emergency Response Team-India to ascertain whether there was hacking of government software systems as there have been several instances where licences of NGOs under scrutiny were renewed automatically.
Two non-government organisations run by social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband have been served notice by the home ministry for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and asked to reply within 15 days.
The CBI on Wednesday registered a case against social activist Teesta Setalvad and her organisation for alleged violation of FCRA in recieving funds from abroad without taking prior permission from the home ministry.
An FIR has been lodged against social activist Teesta Setalvad, her husband Javed Anand, Zakia Jafri's son Tanvir Jafri and two others for allegedly usurping Rs 1.51 crore collected by them for turning Gulbarg Society into a museum, police said.
Gujarat police opposed in the Supreme Court the anticipatory bail plea of Teesta Setalvad.
'Little about this regime, given its vindictive credo, is a complete surprise. But we were still taken aback by the CBI raid as it was a complete abuse of due process.' 'These are not legal inquiries, but abusive use of State power. They are not legitimate investigations, but a witch-hunt.' 'Ours is a typical, classic case of the State and its organs being used as an outlet for motivated vendetta of the vilest kind.'
