India Protest Turns Violent as Police Charge ‘Cockroach’ March Over Exam Scandal

India’s riot police used batons to break up protesters in New Delhi on Monday, as thousands tried to march to parliament to demand action over widespread exam irregularities. The demonstrators, who call themselves “cockroaches” to symbolize their resilience, were stopped near the Jantar Mantar protest site. Officers in blue riot gear charged the crowd, sending many running for cover. The protesters are calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They accuse his office of failing to prevent question paper leaks, technical glitches, and other problems that have marred major national exams. “We want the government to hear us, not silence us,” one protester said. The march escalated a weeks-long protest that has drawn thousands of students, many of whom fear their futures have been ruined by the flawed testing system.