Second Round of India Protest Talks Set for Today

Talks between the Indian government and leaders of the youth-led “Cockroach” movement end without a breakthrough on Friday as nationwide protests over alleged exam irregularities continue.

Student leaders insist they will accept nothing less than Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, while the government says discussions will resume on Saturday.

Demonstrations spread across major cities including New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai with protesters demanding education reforms and accountability.

The movement is fueled by anger over exam paper leaks, marking system failures and youth unemployment.

Opposition parties back the protests and disrupt parliament, demanding the education minister step down.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the government is preparing legislation to speed up prosecution of those involved in examination leaks.