Videos of Delhi Police Clash Spark Resignation Calls for Amit Shah

NEW DELHI - A fresh wave of outrage has erupted over videos from the "Cockroach Janta Party" protests at Jantar Mantar, showing Delhi police in camouflage confronting demonstrators near central Delhi sites, amid wet grounds and greenery . The footage, from a July 20 march toward Parliament that led to baton charges and tear gas, has intensified demands for Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over allegations of excessive force .

The Protest and Police Response

The "Cockroach Janta Party," a Gen Z-led movement named after a Supreme Court chief justice's remark comparing unemployed youth to cockroaches, organized a peaceful march to parliament on July 20 . Police responded with batons and tear gas, injuring scores of protesters. One young woman protester remains in critical condition .

Who Ordered 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗶 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲?

Amit Shah Must Resign!

Everything will be remembered. pic.twitter.com/OAopP7lweM

- Cockroach Janta Party of India (@CJP_for_India) August 7, 2026

Supporters of the movement have now demanded Shah's resignation, calling for accountability over the police crackdown. The controversy has deepened as the government has also filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against social media accounts that amplified the protests, including parody accounts and student activists .

This is really a blood boiling moment.

This really need to be addressed and brought to books these inhumans. https://t.co/ZP7RYPxIO9

- The Human (@Shilpi17289185) August 7, 2026

Shah's Response to Criticis

In response to the growing backlash, Home Minister Amit Shah defended the police action, stating that "police is the face of the law and must act accordingly" . He has also accused the opposition of "politicizing" the protests. At a recent rally, Shah attempted to dismiss the criticism by mocking the demands of the movement, stating, "They are demanding-Amit Shah should be sacked. Abhi toh main mauj mein hoon" (I am enjoying myself right now) .

However, his remarks have drawn renewed criticism, with many interpreting them as arrogance in the face of public anger. Opposition leaders have called for his parliamentary appearance as the debate intensifies, accusing him of overseeing a "systematic crackdown on dissent" .

The Cockroach Janta Party Movement

The protests have become a significant political challenge for the Modi government. The movement, which began as a demand for justice over the NEET exam scandal, has expanded to include grievances against unemployment, corruption, and the erosion of democratic freedoms .

Parody accounts and activists have used the "Cockroach" label with defiance, turning an insult into a rallying cry. The government's legal response against social media accounts has further galvanized the movement.

Calls for Accountability

Human Rights Watch has condemned the police crackdown as "excessive force," and opposition leaders have demanded an impartial investigation. The controversy has deepened divides over free speech and protest rights in India, with the government's actions seen by critics as part of a broader pattern of authoritarianism .

The demand for Shah's resignation has now become a central rallying point for the movement, with the "Cockroach Janta Party" declaring on social media: "Everything will be remembered."