NEW DELHI: The Indian government has ordered telecom companies to suspend mobile internet services in central parts of Delhi as protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan continue over examination paper leaks, according to two sources who spoke to Reuters on Thursday.
The suspension covers areas around the main protest site, where demonstrators have been staging sit-ins for weeks. The sources said telecom companies had already complied with the government’s directive.
Spokespersons for the Indian government and the Department of Telecommunications did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. India’s leading telecom operators — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea — also did not issue immediate responses.
Reuters journalists reported that mobile data services were unavailable across several parts of central Delhi on Thursday evening. The outage also disrupted digital payment services, with shopkeepers, restaurants and street vendors saying they were unable to process cashless transactions.
Protest movement rejects government’s response
Earlier in the day, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading the demonstrations, rejected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the ongoing examination paper leak controversy and vowed to continue protests until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
In a statement, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said it was encouraging that the prime minister had finally acknowledged the issue after nearly six weeks of protests.
“Perhaps his foreign visits are over, and he has returned to India, which is a good thing,” Ranka was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.
However, he insisted that the movement would continue until the education minister stepped down.
“We will not leave this place until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”
Ranka questioned the government’s approach of punishing those responsible only after examination papers had already been leaked.
“What punishment are you imposing after the paper leak has already taken place? That is not going to solve the problem of paper leaks. The real question is why paper leaks are happening in the first place. That question must be answered.”
Modi promises action against paper leaks
Prime Minister Modi earlier addressed the controversy in a social media post, saying:
“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.”
He also announced plans to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.
Rahul Gandhi demands education minister’s dismissal
Leader of the opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, strongly criticised the government’s handling of the education crisis.
Responding to Modi’s statement, Gandhi accused the prime minister of allowing India’s education system to deteriorate.
“You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system — and protected every person responsible for it.”
He reiterated his demand that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan be dismissed, urged Modi to apologise to students and called for action against those responsible for using force against protesters.
Rahul Gandhi Released After Detention During India Protest
Protests continue in central Delhi
Members of the Cockroach movement have remained camped in central Delhi since last month, demanding Pradhan’s resignation following examination paper leaks in May that affected around two million students.
The demonstrations intensified on Monday after police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse tens of thousands of protesters attempting to march toward Parliament during the opening day of the monsoon session.
Some protesters responded by throwing stones, resulting in the capital’s largest street protests in nearly five years.
According to police, 178 people, including security personnel, were injured during the clashes.
Movement expands beyond exam leaks
The Cockroach Janta Party first emerged in May as a social media-driven movement after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly referred to young people as “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a court hearing.
What began as a satirical campaign has since evolved into a broader movement focusing on unemployment, opportunities for young people and criticism of what organisers describe as Prime Minister Modi’s increasingly authoritarian style of governance.
The protests have become one of the most significant political challenges facing Modi since he secured a third consecutive term in 2024.
Examination scandals fuel nationwide anger
Public outrage has grown following a series of examination-related controversies that have undermined confidence in India’s education system.
One of the biggest scandals involved the leak of a medical entrance examination paper, forcing more than two million candidates to retake the test.
Another dispute over the online evaluation of examinations taken by nearly two million high school students has further intensified public anger and strengthened calls for accountability and comprehensive reforms to India’s examination system.
