Modi govt faces mounting pressure as India student protests spread

Student protests over alleged examination irregularities intensified across India on Wednesday, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government as demonstrations spread to several major cities.

Thousands of protesters remained camped at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to the country's examination system. The movement, led by the social media-driven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has grown into one of the biggest public challenges to the Modi government since its re-election in 2024.

Protests were also held in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Patna, where police reportedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. The unrest gained momentum after opposition parties, including the Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi, extended support to the movement and criticised the police response to protesters during Monday's march towards parliament.

The demonstrations were triggered by allegations of examination irregularities, including the leak of a nationwide medical entrance examination paper and controversy over the online marking of high school examinations.