India's Modi government under growing pressure as 'cockroach' protests intensify

Pressure has been growing on India's government with thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters continuing to protest in the capital Delhi despite heavy rains overnight. The youth-led movement, seeking education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, got a boost on Tuesday when India's main opposition Congress party leaders protested outside the prime minister's house.

They were protesting against the brutal police crackdown on Monday's CJP protest in which dozens of protesters and policemen were injured. Congress shared videos of their MP Rahul Gandhi and others being dragged into buses and taken to detention centres. They were later released.

On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters flooded central Delhi after the CJP called for a march to parliament as the monsoon session began. At least 60 people were injured after police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Officers also dismantled the stage and makeshift tents at Jantar Mantar, the protest's main base near the 300-year-old observatory. But the demonstrators have refused to leave, maintaining a round-the-clock sit-in.

Education Minister Pradhan criticized the Congress for "shamelessly exploiting students as political tools." The CJP, a satirical political movement, was 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. The movement has broadened into one of the most visible expressions of public dissent against Modi in recent years.