Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ahmedabad (Fides News agency) – The large-scale student protests that have swept across India in recent weeks—organized by the newly formed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the "People's Cockroach Party"—are far more than a demonstration against the management of the country's education system, but "reflect the younger generation's desire to make its voice heard and to defend democracy, the Constitution and pluralism," says Indian Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, director of the Prashant Human Rights Centre in Ahmedabad, in an analysis sent to Fides.
According to the Jesuit, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanded by student movements and arrived after weeks of demonstrations, represents an initial sign of political responsibility. Yet, Father Prakash argues, the most significant aspect of the protests lies in the character of the movement itself. "Young people have made it clear that they will not allow xenophobia, sectarianism or any form of fanaticism to shape their ideals or extinguish their hopes," he says. Students from different religious communities, social groups and backgrounds chose to present themselves above all as "Indian citizens," united by their shared commitment to the Constitution. "No one succeeded in dividing them or setting them against one another," the Jesuit observes.
The protests emerged spontaneously, spreading from major cities to small towns and villages. "This was not an organized or paid mobilization," Father Prakash stresses. "It was the response of a generation outraged by the deterioration of the education system, by corruption, and by the tragedy of the 21 students who took their own lives following the NEET national examination paper leak scandal."
The students also received broad support from civil society organizations and Christian groups. Recalling the thousands of students who marched peacefully through the streets singing and demonstrating, Frather Prakash observes that "they walked together for change." As academic Pratap Bhanu Mehta pointed out, the younger generation has shown that those in power can be held accountable for their decisions. "For the first time in years, the government has been forced to accept political responsibility," Father Prakash notes, arguing that civic participation can still have a tangible impact on the country's democratic life.
Among the symbolic episodes of the demonstrations, the Jesuit highlights the image of Rhiya Ahir, a young woman who stood in front of a police van in Mumbai demanding the release of students detained during a protest. Following a tense exchange with officers, the students were freed, and images of the incident quickly went viral on social media. Young protesters also relied on social platforms to document events and challenge what they regarded as distorted narratives, while mainstream media—particularly during the early stages—ignored the phenomenon.
According to Father Prakash, this too represents a sign of the ongoing change in the relationship between citizens and the media.
Another important outcome of the mobilization, the Jesuit continues, concerns the recovery of democratic space for dissent. The demonstrations, culminating in a march toward Parliament and, in several cases repressed by law enforcement, have reopened the debate over the constitutional right to peaceful protest and dissent, "which are the very essence of democracy."
The student movement reflects a growing demand for honesty and responsibility in public life. "Young people are no longer willing to passively accept corruption," Father Prakash says. "They are calling for transparency, accountability and credible institutions."
This, the Jesuit concludes, is the most significant legacy of the protests: "A generation has awakened in India, determined to take part in public life by demanding rights, justice and respect for the democratic principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution."
(PA) (Fides News Agency, 1/8/2026)
