India protests: latest events

Story so far

1. 24 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Youth-led protest movement draws scrutiny as two Cockroach movement leaders are freed

   On Friday, the New York Times published an analysis of India's youth protest movement, outlining four takeaways as democracies worldwide face pressure. On Wednesday, an Indian court ordered the release of Cockroach movement leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who spent a week in Delhi's Tihar jail after being arrested for defying protest restrictions. Also on Wednesday, leaders of Prime Minister Modi's governing coalition sought to portray the demonstrations as a power grab by traditional political parties rather than a grass-roots youth movement.

   Youth-led protest movement tests India's democracy

2. 23 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Indian court frees two Cockroach movement leaders amid crackdown on youth protests

   On Wednesday an Indian court ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who spent a week in Delhi's Tihar jail after being arrested for defying protest restrictions. The ruling came amid a state crackdown on youth-led protests. UN experts urged India to stop using excessive force and called for an independent investigation.

3. 22 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Court orders release of two Cockroach movement leaders held a week in Tihar jail

   On Wednesday an Indian court ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who spent a week in Delhi's Tihar jail after being arrested for defying protest restrictions. Also on Wednesday, UN experts urged India to stop using excessive force against protesters and called for an independent investigation into the authorities' conduct. Leaders of the governing coalition are trying to portray the demonstrations as a power grab by traditional political parties rather than a grass-roots youth movement.

4. 21 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Court orders release of two Cockroach movement leaders after a week in jail

   On Wednesday an Indian court ordered the release of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who spent a week in Delhi's Tihar jail after defying protest restrictions. This comes amid a state crackdown on youth-led protests. UN experts urged India to stop using excessive force and called for an independent investigation. Leaders of the governing coalition are trying to portray the demonstrations as a power grab by traditional parties.

   Indian court orders release of two Cockroach movement leaders · Modi's coalition tries to frame Gen Z protests as power grab by… · UN experts urge India to stop using excessive force against protesters

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