INDIA’S incensed youth on the streets has caught Prime Minister Narendra Modi off guard, and become the first real test for his 12-year rule. Sparked by regular paper leak scandals that led to suicides, the movement guided by the Cockroach Janta Party began with students. A month later, it has cut across social and religious lines to include all those enraged by administrative, educational and economic failures — reportedly, the unemployment rate for graduates who are under 25 years of age is a whopping 40 per cent. The streets now ring out loud with demands for a complete change.
Students have been roughing it out for over a month at Jantar Mantar, a famous protest site in the heart of Delhi. They came together to ask for the education minister’s resignation, academic reforms, accountability and compensation for the 21 families who lost their beloved children. But Modi government’s huge miscalculation changed an otherwise serene picture. First, on the 21st day of his hunger strike, educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken away from the site and deposited at a hospital. Then, as protesters marched peacefully towards parliament, police unleashed unspeakable brutality with tear gas, spiked batons, water cannons and even pellet guns, injuring at least 200 people. A girl fought for her life on the ventilator while another young victim in critical condition awaited a second surgery. A pellet was lodged dangerously close to his blood vessel.
The situation worsened when the Congress party staged a flash sit-in outside the prime minister’s residence where Rahul Gandhi as well as other opposition leaders were taken into custody. As a result, both demands and rage escalated. Massive protests broke out in other parts of the country.
Hundreds of thousands flooded various locations — Patna, Mumbai and Kolkata in particular. Political analysts say that in a matter of days what was confined to students turned into a massive movement, even uprising. One that is like no other in the Modi era because it has managed to liberate ordinary citizens from fear, growing far bigger than individuals and political parties. People want what was once unimaginable — Narendra Modi, and his home minister Amit Shah’s resignation.
A perturbed Modi finally attempted to make the right noises. He announced fast-track courts to tackle exam-leak cases. Late and half-baked, the appeal has so far failed to mollify the crowds. The savvy new generation sees his appeal as hubris and hypocrisy. No apology for the police crackdown was offered, no promises were made to hold violent officers to account, no mention of the minister’s resignation, and there was no reference to either the injured, or those who died by suicide.
People in India want what was once unimaginable.
Dictators often choose to forget challenges. The last time Modi faced a similar explosion of fury was in 2019 when he brought the Citizenship Amendment Act but the tumult was cut short by the pandemic. However, this is unfamiliar territory on many levels for him. On one hand, he confronts a united, youthful and inflamed opposition in parliament, and on the other, a similar populace outside. In addition, the cohesion once synonymous with India is in full view — the same element he fought so hard to destroy. Whether he prevails again or not depends on who wins a game of patience and resolve.
For every society, there can be no doubt about education being the foundation of economic and social progress. Rampant corruption, lack of resources and nepotism plague Pakistan’s assessment and admission procedures, and most educational institutions too. Malpractices and political pressures deprive deserving candidates of seats. Quotas based on ethnicity wreak their own havoc on systems created at a time when demographic realities and geographical migration was very different to what they are today.
All this must end. It is time to understand that our young are mired in the same problems as those confronted by the students in India. Authorities cannot afford to delay reforms. This means that the political will to wipe out tainted elements cannot be missing. Harsh realities await the world’s Gen Z.
Only a better education can empower our children. Hence, the protests in India have lessons for us. Our governments make promises but remains apathetic towards the plight of students. These youngsters need modern public institutions with fair exam processes so that they can contribute to their country’s future.
The writer is an attorney teaching constitutional law and political philosophy.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026
