Thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of India's education minister briefly clashed with police in New Delhi late on Wednesday as demonstrations over alleged exam paper leaks entered their second month.
Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse sections of the crowd after some protesters reportedly threw stones and plastic bottles, injuring several officers. Local media estimated that more than 10,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar, a traditional protest site in central New Delhi, making it one of the largest demonstrations since the movement began.
The protests were sparked by alleged exam paper leaks in May that affected around two million students, fuelling anger over the integrity of India's education system.
The movement, led by the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has grown rapidly from an online campaign into a nationwide protest, with organisers refusing to end demonstrations until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
The unrest has also become a major political issue, with opposition parties backing the protesters' demands and disrupting Parliament's monsoon session.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined demonstrations outside Parliament and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, insisting that Pradhan's resignation was "not negotiable". Opposition leaders were due to meet on Thursday to decide their next strategy in Parliament.
The government has held one round of talks with CJP representatives and has pledged to consider their demands. It has also offered to debate the issue in Parliament and introduce reforms to India's examination system.
Authorities tightened security across New Delhi ahead of further protests. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the closure of 16 metro stations in and around central Delhi on Thursday, citing security concerns. It marked the second major shutdown this week.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show protesters confronting police officers using tear gas and batons, although Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
The growing movement has exposed broader frustrations among India's youth, particularly over education, unemployment and governance, while giving opposition parties a renewed opportunity to challenge Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, which has traditionally enjoyed strong support among younger voters.
Thirty-five years after restoring independence, Azerbaijan's economy has more than tripled in real terms. Official data reveal how investmen...
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturd...
Pope Leo returned to public life on Sunday, five days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, telling thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s S...
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday.
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.
A Saudi AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia due to a technical malfunction, killing its two crew members, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said in a statement on Sunday.
What started out as planned protests against the cost of living, declining public services and education funding in France, quickly devolved into violent riots across the country on Saturday.
The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.
Pope Leo returned to public life on Sunday, five days after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, telling thousands of pilgrims in St Peter’s Square that he would gradually resume his usual activities.
Several people have been killed and injured following a serious incident that sparked a major fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta, Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed on Saturday (17 October). The cause of the incident and the number of casualties have not been officially released.
Singapore is experiencing severe haze as smoke from wildfires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region drifts across the region, disrupting daily life, affecting businesses and prompting Singapore’s National Environment Agency issuing preventive notices to seven companies on 16 October.
What started out as planned protests against the cost of living, declining public services and education funding in France, quickly devolved into violent riots across the country on Saturday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment