India Protests escalated in New Delhi on Wednesday after thousands of students and youth activists clashed with police while demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a major exam paper leak scandal.

Police fired tear gas and used batons to push back protesters after brief clashes erupted near the Jantar Mantar demonstration site, according to police officials and witnesses.

Local media estimated that more than 10,000 people gathered in central New Delhi as leaders of the self-styled Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) pledged to continue their month-long campaign until the education minister stepped down over exam paper leaks that affected nearly 2 million students in May.

The demonstrations have evolved into the largest youth-led challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since he took office in 2014, with opposition parties backing the protesters and disrupting Parliament’s ongoing monsoon session.

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Earlier this week, tens of thousands of protesters marched toward Parliament despite restrictions, prompting police and paramilitary forces to use tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds.

On Wednesday, demonstrators again gathered at Jantar Mantar and outside Parliament, waving Indian flags and chanting slogans before the crowd expanded into surrounding streets.

Delhi Police said some protesters threw stones and plastic bottles during the unrest, injuring several officers who later received medical treatment.

Videos circulating on social media showed small groups confronting police as officers deployed tear gas and used batons to regain control. Reuters said it could not independently verify the footage.

The protest movement began online as political satire before rapidly expanding into a nationwide youth campaign.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told supporters that the movement would continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.

“It has been 25 days so far. Even if it takes 25 months, we will continue. We will not leave,” Dipke told the crowd.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the temporary closure of 16 metro stations in central New Delhi because of security concerns, marking the second large-scale shutdown this week.

The government has held one round of talks with protest leaders and promised to consider their demands, debate the issue in Parliament and introduce reforms to strengthen the examination system.

Opposition parties led by the Congress Party have thrown their support behind the demonstrations. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined protests outside Parliament and Prime Minister Modi’s residence while demanding Pradhan’s resignation.

Gandhi said opposition leaders would meet to decide their parliamentary strategy, insisting that the education minister’s resignation remains a non-negotiable demand.

The protests reflect growing frustration among young Indians over repeated examination paper leaks, limited employment opportunities and broader concerns about accountability. Political analysts say the movement has created fresh pressure on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of future elections.