Supporters of India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued their sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, a day after police used tear gas and batons to stop thousands of protesters from marching towards Parliament.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told supporters the protest would go on. “We are going to continue our protest,” he said, making it clear the group would not leave the designated protest site until their core demand — the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan — is met.

On Monday, the CJP had attempted a “Chalo Sansad” march on the opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session. Police said the procession was unauthorised and imposed restrictions. As protesters tried to push past barricades, security forces fired tear gas shells and carried out a lathi charge. Clashes broke out at several points, including near Patel Chowk.

Delhi Police reported that nearly 180 people were injured — 118 security personnel and around 60 protesters. Approximately 70 demonstrators were detained. Police alleged stone-pelting and damage to government vehicles by some in the crowd. Videos of baton charges and young protesters being dragged away circulated widely on social media.

By Tuesday morning, hundreds of CJP supporters had regrouped at Jantar Mantar under heavy police presence. Many said the police action had only strengthened their resolve. “If the government thinks that doing this with Gen Z, they can stop us, then that won’t happen,” said 20-year-old student Sona Bisht. “We are here talking about education, talking about securing our future. And till the time our demands are not met, we will not move from here.”

The CJP movement, which began as online satire in response to a remark comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches,” has grown into a sustained campaign against repeated examination paper leaks, technical glitches in exams, and the larger issue of youth unemployment. Protesters are also seeking compensation for families of students who died by suicide linked to the NEET controversy.

The sit-in has been ongoing at Jantar Mantar for weeks and earlier drew support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike in solidarity before being shifted to hospital.

Despite the previous day’s violence and ongoing security deployment, CJP leaders insisted the agitation remains peaceful and will continue indefinitely until their demands are addressed.