New Delhi witnessed its largest anti-government demonstration in months on Monday as over 10,000 supporters of the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party marched toward parliament, only to be met with tear gas and baton charges from police. The protest, a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a thorough investigation into corruption within the country's exam system. Main Developments Police began dispersing the crowd early Monday morning as activists gathered at Jantar Mantar, a historic park in central Delhi that has become the movement's focal point. Authorities sealed exit points at nearby metro stations, but protesters circumvented the blockade by disembarking several stations away and walking to the site, chanting slogans and waving Indian flags. Al Jazeera's Neha Poonia reported scuffles at the protest site, with riot police using canes to push back demonstrators. Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma urged the crowd to disperse, warning that the protest site had run out of space and could lead to an untoward situation. He estimated the crowd at more than 10,000. Read also: Why Indian police beat 'Cockroach' protesters before a march The movement's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, was detained by police later in the day, according to a statement from the party. Hours earlier, chief spokesperson Saurav Das had posted on X that the government had reached out for talks in the morning, but the youth had gathered in huge numbers with clear demands. The protest coincided with the first day of parliament's monsoon session. Background The Cockroach movement emerged in May 2026 amid intense public anger over allegations of corruption and mismanagement in India's education system. The crisis was triggered when the annual medical entrance exam, taken by about 2.2 million aspiring doctors, was annulled after question papers were leaked. Students were forced to retake the test under heavy security last month. In response to the leaks, the government temporarily banned the messaging app Telegram to prevent further distribution of exam materials. The situation turned tragic when more than a dozen students were reported to have died by suicide, overwhelmed by the stress of months of study and the shock of having their initial results voided. The movement adopted its provocative name after a chief justice on India's Supreme Court likened unemployed young people to cockroaches. Protesters turned the insult into a badge of honor, launching a viral online campaign of satirical memes mocking the government. What began as a digital phenomenon quickly amassed millions of followers and evolved into a street-level movement capable of mobilizing thousands. Why It Matters Monday's march represents the most serious public challenge to Modi's government since the Cockroach movement began. The protest was amplified by anger over the forcible hospitalization of veteran activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, who had been on a three-week hunger strike in solidarity with the students. His treatment on Saturday further galvanized public sentiment. The government's offer to meet two activists with a senior cabinet minister, while a minor concession, has not quelled the unrest. The detention of founder Abhijeet Dipke signals that authorities are unwilling to tolerate large-scale demonstrations, yet the movement's ability to draw thousands despite police intimidation suggests deep and widespread discontent among India's youth over systemic corruption and a flawed exam system. What's Next The monsoon session of parliament, which began on the day of the protest, will likely see opposition lawmakers raise the issue of police brutality and exam corruption. The government faces pressure to address the movement's core demands, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and a crackdown on those responsible for the leak. With the movement's leader in custody and tensions high, the coming days could see either escalated confrontation or renewed efforts at dialogue. The Cockroach Janta Party has demonstrated a capacity for sustained mobilization, and its next steps—whether through further protests, legal challenges, or political negotiations—will shape the trajectory of this unprecedented youth-led uprising.