India's cockroach protests continue, Rahul Gandhi briefly detained
The youth-driven cockroach movement is continuing its protests against head of government Modi despite police violence. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was briefly detained during a sit-in in front of Modi's residence. He is demanding Modi's resignation.
The cockroach movement (Cockroach Janta Party), which emerged about two months ago as satire, has grown into a nationwide challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A day after police used tear gas and batons against thousands trying to march to parliament, the demonstrators announced they would continue their sit-in strike, as the Guardian reports. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress party lawmakers held a sit-in in front of Modi's residence; Gandhi was briefly detained, according to Deutschlandfunk, and accused Modi of destroying the future of the country's youth. Business-minded observers such as Bloomberg see Modi in a difficult position with few good options. The movement targets corruption, an examination system perceived as unfair and a lack of prospects; the hunger strike of activist Sonam Wangchuk became its symbol. The government points to law and order, the opposition to the failure of education policy. How far the protests will carry is open.