Thousands of 'Cockroach' movement supporters protest in New Delhi

In New Delhi, India, on July 20, 2026, tens of thousands of supporters of the youth-led 'Cockroach' movement marched toward Parliament despite a police ban. Police used tear gas to stop the march, and protesters clashed with officers. NDTV reported that 118 police officers were injured and 70 people detained after the protest turned violent.

The movement, which also goes by the name Cockroach Janta Party, has grown from hundreds to thousands of people, according to the BBC. Reuters described Sonam Wangchuk as an Indian activist rallying Gen Z against Modi, and the Wall Street Journal reported that a hunger strike helped galvanize youth protest against the government. Protesters cited education failures.