Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led protest movement, have taken to the streets of Delhi defying a police ban to march towards parliament, where they demanded the resignation of India's education minister.
The protest was accompanied by clashes between demonstrators and security forces, after police set up barricades to stop the march. Some protesters claimed to have been injured by blows with rubber batons, while the police have so far not given an official reaction.
The rally comes after weeks of protests over suspected leaks of national exam tests, a scandal that protesters say shows deep problems in the country's education system.
The movement has become one of the biggest displays of public discontent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in recent years. It received a new impetus after the arrest and hospitalization of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on the 21st day of a hunger strike in support of the cause.
According to his wife, Wangchuk continues his hunger strike, while the activist had requested to be released from the hospital to join the protest march, but his request was not allowed by the authorities.
The name of the movement is related to a statement by the Chief Justice of India, who was criticized after comparing a section of unemployed youth to "cockroaches" during a court hearing.
Despite police warnings that the march to parliament would not be allowed, tens of thousands of students, parents, teachers and professionals gathered in the early hours of the morning at Jantar Mantar, a historic protest site in central Delhi.
The protesters stood for hours in the pouring rain, while the atmosphere at the protest camp was organized. Young people carried Indian flags, prepared banners, distributed food and water, while patriotic songs were played over loudspeakers.
Meanwhile, a large police presence and paramilitary forces surrounded the area, blocking roads to parliament. Organizers called on protesters to avoid clashes with police and maintain the peaceful nature of the rally.
