Indian opposition parties stop parliament in support of protests

Politicians stop parliament meetings to ask the government to deal with police violence and problems in education.

Published 22 July 2026 190 words
WORLD A2
Indian opposition parties stop parliament in support of protests

Opposition parties in India have stopped parliament meetings. They are showing support for the new youth group called the 'cockroach' movement. They want the education minister to resign.

Politicians from parties like Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, wore black clothes and held signs. They gathered outside the parliament building in Delhi and asked the minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, to quit.

Inside parliament, meetings were stopped. Opposition politicians asked the government to talk about police violence against young people. They also want to discuss problems with important exams.

Rahul Gandhi was briefly held by police before. He said the prime minister was harming the future of young people in India. His sister, Priyanka, was also briefly detained.

The 'Cockroach Janata' party (CJP) started as an online joke but has become a big challenge for the government. On Monday, the CJP organised a large protest against the government.

Police used teargas and hit some protesters. Many people were injured. On Wednesday, over 1,000 protesters stayed at a camp in Delhi, despite the hot weather.

They want the education minister to resign and the government to listen to them. Many protesters travelled a long way to be there. Supporters send food to keep the protesters fed.

A CJP speaker said that they have woken up the country. He said people were afraid to ask questions or criticise the government. The CJP's demands started because of problems with exams, but it is now about the feelings of young people in India.

Vocabulary

opposition parties — Political groups that are not in power.
resign — To leave a job or position, usually by choice.
solidarity — Support for someone, especially when they are in a difficult situation.
proceedings — Official meetings or events, like those in parliament.
violence — The use of physical force to harm people or damage things.
scandals — An event that causes public anger because it is morally or legally wrong.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did the opposition parties stop parliament meetings?
  2. What is the 'Cockroach Janata' party (CJP)?
  3. What do the protesters want the government to do?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

Read the original article