Thousands have gathered again in the Indian capital Delhi a day after a police crackdown on supporters of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement seeking education reforms and resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Tens of thousands of young men and women had turned up for Monday’s protest and tried to march on parliament, defying a police ban.
Central Delhi witnessed overwhelming violence, with at least 60 protesters wounded when police used batons and tear gas on them. Policemen also tore down the stage and makeshift tents at the main protest venue.
Police said 118 of their personnel were also injured and 70 protesters have been detained.
Police and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government have not commented on the use of sticks and tear gas against protesters. Opposition parties have condemned the violence.
The CJP is a satirical political movement inspired by remarks made earlier this year by India’s chief justice, who used the word “cockroach” to describe unemployed young people turning to journalism and activism. After the comments sparked outrage, he said he had been referring only to those with “fake and bogus degrees”.
Monday’s huge turnout showed that the CJP, though not a registered political party, has evolved into a movement capable of drawing tens of thousands onto the streets.
Protesters, who have been camped for the past month at Jantar Mantar, a 300-year-old observatory in Delhi, gained global attention after activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk joined them on 28 June and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of their demands.
He was forcibly removed from the protest site by the police on Saturday and taken to hospital where he continues to fast.
The movement has broadened into one of the most visible expressions of public dissent against Modi in recent years.
