Leaders of India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) neared two weeks of sit-in protests in Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the leak of question papers for a national medical college entrance examination.
The protest has gained support from prominent activist Sonam Wanchuk, who has begun a hunger strike in solidarity with the movement.
The demonstrations come as the government is reportedly considering major cabinet changes, with Indian media suggesting Pradhan could be moved from the education portfolio.
The CJP, founded last month, rapidly gained 22 million Instagram followers within days of its launch. Around 100 supporters have been gathering daily at the protest site in central Delhi.
“With each passing day, more people are coming here from different parts of India,” said party founder Abhijeet Dipke, speaking from a makeshift stage alongside Wanchuk beneath a banner calling for Pradhan’s removal.
Pradhan, his ministry and the government’s chief spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.