Leaders of India’s youth-led “Cockroach” movement are set to hold talks with the government on Friday in an effort to resolve a standoff over alleged national examination paper leaks, though organisers say nationwide protests will continue.
The announcement came hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes of a possible breakthrough in a crisis that has drawn tens of thousands of protesters to New Delhi demanding the resignation of the country’s education minister.
The demonstrations have emerged as the most significant youth-led challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since he took office in 2014. Opposition parties have backed the protesters’ demands and disrupted the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.
Talks between government representatives and leaders of the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are expected to take place at a neutral venue.
“We hope that the government comes with an open mind and it will listen to the people of this country who have been out on the roads for so long,” CJP spokesperson Saurav Das told reporters. “We will explain our demands to them in greater detail, and we hope that the government will listen to us.”
Despite the negotiations, Das said the protest movement would continue.
“We are not backing out,” he said. “Because real awakening starts from the grassroots and that is what we really need.”