Police officers use batons to push back a supporter of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) during a protest demanding justice for police actions against students. The march, composed of supporters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was heading toward Parliament in Delhi on July 20, 2026, when the incident occurred. — Reuters
– Disruptions in digital payments are impacting vendors and restaurants.
– Prime Minister Modi vows to take tough action against those involved in exam fraud.
– Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Indian government has instructed telecom providers to shut down mobile data services in central Delhi, especially around the location of recent youth protests calling for the Education Minister’s resignation. According to sources, the telecom companies have followed the order. Requests for comment from government and telecom officials have not been answered yet. Major telecom companies such as Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea have not responded immediately.
On Thursday evening, many parts of central Delhi experienced a complete loss of mobile data, causing issues for vendors, shopkeepers, and restaurants unable to process digital payments, as reported by Reuters journalists.
Earlier in the day, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government’s response to the ongoing paper leak controversy, reaffirming its stance to continue protests until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka praised the prime minister’s recent acknowledgment of the protests after nearly a month and a half, noting, “Maybe his foreign trips are over, and he’s finally back in India,” as quoted by Press Trust of India. Ranka reiterated that Pradhan must resign and that protests will persist until accountability is achieved. “We won’t stop until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he declared.
He criticized the timing of punishments for exam leaks, questioning their effectiveness, and emphasizing that the real issue is understanding why leaks happen in the first place.
Prime Minister Modi earlier stated on social media, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” promising the creation of fast-track courts to address question paper leaks swiftly.
In response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi highlighted Modi’s post by asserting that the prime minister’s actions have actually damaged the future of young people more than anyone. “You allowed and encouraged the complete takeover and destruction of our education system—and protected everyone responsible,” Gandhi said, calling for Pradhan’s dismissal, an apology from Modi to students, and punishment for those who assaulted protesters.
Since last month, protesters led by the “cockroach” movement have gathered in central Delhi, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks that affected around two million students. Tensions escalated Monday after police used tear gas and batons against thousands attempting to march to Parliament during the start of the monsoon session, marking the largest street protest in the capital in about five years. At least 178 individuals, including security personnel, sustained injuries during the disturbances.
The CJP, which gained millions of followers through social media, initially emerged as a satirical response to a court hearing in which Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly compared young people to “cockroaches” and “parasites.” The movement has since expanded its agenda to include issues like unemployment, youth opportunities, and concerns over Modi’s increasingly authoritarian style of governance.
These protests present one of the most serious challenges to Modi since he secured a third term in 2024. Multiple exam irregularities, including the leak of a crucial medical entrance exam that compelled over two million candidates to retake the test, have undermined public confidence in India’s testing system. Furthermore, controversies surrounding online grading for nearly two million high school exams have fueled public outrage.