Modi govt faces mounting pressure as 'Cockroach' protests intensify

Pressure is mounting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government as thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued their protests in New Delhi despite heavy overnight rain, demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The youth-led movement received a political boost after opposition Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, staged a protest outside the prime minister's residence on Tuesday against the police crackdown on demonstrators.

Congress leaders accused the government of suppressing peaceful protests after police used batons and tear gas on Monday to disperse tens of thousands of protesters marching towards parliament during the opening of the monsoon session. At least 60 protesters and several police personnel were injured in the clashes.

Police also dismantled the protest camp at Jantar Mantar, but demonstrators refused to leave and continued their sit-in. Senior opposition leaders, including former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and veteran politician Sharad Pawar, later visited the protest site.