INDIA’S youth-led Cockroach movement accused the government of backtracking on its promise not to act against student protesters, threatening to restart demonstrations that forced the resignation of the education minister.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which organised mass protests over exam paper leaks, said hundreds of students had been detained or “harassed” by police, with cases filed in Delhi, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar — all states ruled by Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said: “If the government does not honour the agreement and release everyone detained or arrested, we will be compelled to resume the protest.”

At least 100 people have been arrested, many on non-bailable charges, according to the CJP, which has set up a legal fund to support those facing criminal cases.

The CJP had agreed to end demonstrations on Saturday after education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned — the first time public pressure has forced out a senior minister under Mr Modi.

The movement, launched in May by 30-year-old Abhijeet Dipke, has won millions of social media followers, with hundreds of thousands of students rallying in New Delhi and other cities last week.

Protests in Delhi turned violent on July 20 when police fired tear gas and used batons against crowds marching towards parliament, prompting a Supreme Court petition alleging police brutality.

India’s chief justice called for an independent investigation, stating the “right to peaceful, lawful protest is absolutely guaranteed” under the constitution.

The government has announced a panel to overhaul the examination system and introduced tougher penalties for exam paper leaks in parliament on Monday.