Millions of young Indians shared this anxiety at first: if the tests that determine their future can’t be trusted, then what can? Tens of thousands of young men and women attempted to march on India’s parliament on Monday, some weeks later. Tear gas and baton charges were used by the police in response. In the days since, thousands more have gone back to living on the streets.
Anger over recurrent exam paper leaks gave rise to the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has rapidly grown to become India’s largest student mobilization in recent memory. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and educational reforms are being demanded. He broke his fast late on Thursday, but according to student leaders, the demonstrations would go on until their demands are fulfilled.
Whether this is just another student protest or the start of something bigger is the obvious question. There are reasons to be cautious and hopeful based on history. Indian politics have occasionally changed as a result of student movements. Others have faded away after a stunning eruption.
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