Thousands protest in New Delhi over university exam cheating, demand education minister's resignation

Thousands of people protested in the Indian capital New Delhi on Monday against cheating in university exams, demanding the resignation of the education minister, according to AFP correspondents.

Eyewitnesses said the demonstrators marched toward parliament, which began its summer session on Monday, after weeks of gatherings in a city square at the invitation of the 'Cockroach People's Party,' a movement recently launched online.

In a post on X, the party emphasized its determination to continue, stating: "Nothing will stop the cockroaches today!"

Security measures and official warnings

Delhi Police announced on Sunday that the march was illegal and deployed large forces to protect parliament and public buildings. Meanwhile, protest spokesperson Sourav Das urged participants to remain peaceful, affirming their inspiration from Gandhi's approach.

Background to the crisis and rising anger

The 'Cockroach Party' was launched in May by a young Indian who recently graduated from the United States, aiming to unite the growing wave of anger in India over repeated failures and scandals in higher education exams.

In May, a cheating incident led to the annulment of results for a medical exam taken by more than two million candidates, resulting in several suicides among applicants, according to local media.

Hunger strike and police intervention

In late June, several people began a hunger strike in support of students' demands, including prominent civil activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59. Police forcibly hospitalized Wangchuk on Saturday after his health deteriorated, while his wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, condemned what she described as "illegal detention."