Indian Youth Movement Challenges Modi Government Amid Exam Scandal and Protests

Under the oppressive heat of monsoon rain, thousands of young Indians flooded New Delhi in a battle for accountability and their futures.

As politicians returned to the capital this week, waves of protesters attempted to march to parliament before police and paramilitary forces fired tear gas and sound cannons and used batons to break up crowds.

Rather than quell the dissent, the show of force from authorities has spurred defiance across the country and the world.

From Mumbai and Goa to London and New York, young Indians have taken to the streets, showing the power of the world's largest youth population.

At the centre is Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old student who is fast becoming the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12-year reign.

On May 16, 2026, Mr Dipke founded the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth movement that launched on social media after remarks made by one of India's most senior judges.

In May, Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant described unemployed young people as "cockroaches".

"There are youngsters like cockroaches. They don't get any employment. They don't have any place in a profession," Justice Kant said.

The comments struck a nerve with Mr Dipke, who was studying in Boston, Massachusetts, at the time.

That post received engagement levels in the millions.

He then started a CJP Instagram page and within a day more than 1 million people had followed that account.

Within four days that number had reached 10 million.

Today the account has almost 25 million followers.

"That is when I realised that there is some genuine frustration among the youth regarding unemployment and regarding the irregularities in the examination system of India," Mr Dipke told 7.30.

"This frustration and this disappointment have been there for quite some years now, and clearly they have given up on all existing political parties."

Mr Dipke has now crossed into a role he never imagined, taking on one of the world's most powerful governments.

"I have never been that person who used to socialise much. But now I'm a public face where I have to constantly meet people, greet them.

"This is a whole new ball game for me."

Exam scandal

The formation of the CJP coincided with a wave of corruption allegations, after the results of the fiercely competitive national medical entrance examination were cancelled after questions were leaked. It forced about 2 million students to sit the test again.

There were 20 student suicides in the wake of the cancelled results. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been blamed.

Youth unemployment has become one of India's most politically sensitive issues, hitting 40 per cent for graduates aged under 25.

Government jobs remain highly coveted because they offer stable, lifelong employment, but competition for them is fierce.

Many protesters say opportunities have become increasingly difficult to secure, while repeated exam controversies have eroded trust in the system.

For more than a month, protesters have staged a sit-in at Delhi's designated protest site, Jantar Mantar, demanding Mr Pradhan resign.

A permit is required to protest at Jantar Mantar and usually demonstrators must leave by 5pm or risk arrest. However the CJP has been allowed to stay in a move some experts say shows the government has recognised the need to keep young people on side.

The CJP's presence in other areas has not been completely without opposition though.

The government shut down the group's social media accounts early on, accusing the group of posing a threat to national security, before a court allowed them to be restored.

Most support for the CJP had been online until last weekend. That changed on Saturday when the Delhi High Court ruled the government was responsible for the welfare of activist Sonam Wungchuk.

Mr Wungchuk was 20 days into a hunger strike in support of students. He was picked up and forcibly removed to a hospital on Saturday, sparking an outpouring of anger from India's youth.

It triggered thousands of people, some from hundreds of kilometres away, to make the journey to New Delhi in support of Mr Wungchuk and the CJP.

Gaurav Ujale travelled more than six hours from his village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh to join Monday's protest.

"We are here with the hope that the system will change," he said.

Government underestimated movement

As thousands attempted to march towards parliament, police blocked roads, fired tear gas and smoke bombs and dragged demonstrators away.

The CJP said about 150 protesters were taken to the hospital with injuries including lacerations to the head and broken bones, and dozens were detained.

Delhi Police said almost 120 officers were injured.

Despite the clashes, Mr Dipke has repeatedly urged supporters to remain peaceful, even intervening when protesters have begun chanting violent slogans about Mr Modi.

Author and political journalist Ruhi Tewari said the government underestimated the movement in its early days.

"Instead of addressing the issue and nipping it in the bud, it's allowed it to balloon into this huge, massive movement that is catching national attention," Tewari said.

Ms Tewari said India had not faced a protest movement of this size in more than a decade, which meant the government now faced a dilemma. Backing down risks appearing weak, but ignoring the protests risks mobilising more young voters.

"It's really boxed itself into a bit of a corner," she said.

After Monday's violence the government began engaging with CJP leaders.

India Health Minister JP Nadda promised to consider the group's demands, and the education minister posted on X, announcing the government remained committed to addressing young people's concerns.

Whether the movement can force lasting political change remains uncertain, according to Tewari.

The CJP is not a registered political party and cannot contest elections, which she says limits its ability to directly challenge the BJP at the ballot box.

Mr Dipke disagrees.

"There's a great power in social movements, but if we have to start a political party just to seek accountability from the government, then that's a very wrong idea," he said.