The ‘cockroaches’ marching on India’s government – podcast | India

‘I have never seen so many young people on the streets,’ he says Hannah Ellis-Petersen.

Tens of thousands of Indians have been marching under the banner of the Cockroach Janta party for days.

Guardian’s South Asia correspondent explains Helen Pidd Protesters take back insult after India’s chief justice referred to unemployed youth as ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites’. Their anger erupted after exam papers were leaked, forcing millions of students to retake the exam. The scandals have also been linked to dozens of suicides in recent years.

The movement has since gained momentum, with protests against corruption and unemployment and demands for at least the resignation of the education minister.

This is perhaps the biggest challenge that the Narendra Modi government has faced in years. So will this week’s concessions be enough to keep the Cockroach movement off the streets?