India Faces Fresh Talks With Youth Protesters as Education Minister Resignation Demand Grows

The Indian government was due to hold a new round of talks on Saturday with leaders of a youth-led protest movement that has disrupted parts of the capital, as demonstrators continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protests have become the biggest challenge from young people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he came to power in 2014. Opposition parties have also backed several of the protesters’ demands, adding pressure on the government during parliament’s monsoon session.

Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party gathered in central Delhi despite the continued closure of 18 metro stations around the protest area. Authorities have restricted access to the site as demonstrations entered their fourth day.

Ashutosh Ranka, the party’s national spokesperson, said government representatives had agreed to meet protesters between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

“We need clarity on Dharmendra Pradhan’s future,” Ranka said, demanding a clear answer on whether the education minister would resign.

The protests intensified after police used baton charges and tear gas on Monday to disperse tens of thousands of students marching towards parliament. Several protesters were injured during the crackdown.

The demonstrations have been driven by anger over alleged examination paper leaks, unemployment, corruption and concerns about government accountability. The immediate trigger was the leak of question papers for major medical entrance examinations, forcing more than two million candidates to retake tests and exposing weaknesses in the country’s examination system.

Protesters are calling for Pradhan to accept responsibility and step down, alongside sweeping reforms to the examination system.

During talks on Friday, party representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka warned federal ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh that the protests could spread unless the education minister resigned.

The discussions took place shortly after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes that negotiations could help ease tensions.

Authorities also extended a mobile internet shutdown in the protest area for a fifth consecutive day, according to two sources. The restrictions have frustrated demonstrators, but protesters said the measures would not stop people from attending the rallies.

“They can shut down Internet, metros and buses, but what will that achieve? Nothing,” said Rahul Raj, a 34-year-old protester.

The government faces growing pressure to address the students’ demands as the demonstrations continue to draw support from opposition groups and young people concerned about the fairness and reliability of India’s competitive examination system.