The students braved days and nights at Jantar Mantar and action by security forces while on their way to Parliament to stick to their demands of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the post of Union education minister, commensation for students who died by suicide following the NEET exam paper leak and accountability and reforms in the education system. Photo: Eshan Sharma
For days, India’s youth camped at Jantar Mantar, refusing to back down till their voices were heard, their grievances addressed. On Saturday, some of their demands met and others assured of being adhered to, they finally returned home. A photo feature that captures the various moods of the movement.
The roots can be traced back to the NEET exam paper leak, which came to light in May. Or it may be traced to that one comment made that same month, attributed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, where he purportedly likened the country’s unemployed youth to cockroaches — the CJI has since reportedly clarified that he didn’t mean all unemployed youth, but fake law degree holders.
The following two months saw the Cockroach Janata Party, which started off as a satirical online reaction to the CJI’s purported comment, drive a youth agitation for accountability in education and educational reforms, with the support of educationist activist Sonam Wangchuk, who staged a hunger strike to back the protestors’ demands. The agitation spilled from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to the streets of the national capital, as the agitators staged a walk to Parliament, bravely facing attempts at repression by the security forces. It sparked solidarity gatherings across the country and culminated in the resignation of BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister.
The protest ended on Saturday (July 25), but its echoes continue to linger in politics and governance.
Moments from the movement that has come to define Gen Z energy and power in the country.
A protestor holds a sketch of BR Amedkar with his words extolling the importance of education. Photo: Eshan Sharma
Show of resilience: A protestor sits atop a barricade, meant to contain the agitation, holding placards. Photo: Eshan Sharma
United they stood: An agitator holds a placard on the power of students' unity. Photo: Eshan Sharma
The agitation saw students and youth joining in from across the country. This one came from Bihar. Photo: Eshan Sharma
One of the most significant feature of the protest was the Gen Z's language of resistance; sharp, witty, irreverent. This one plays on the old adage, 'See on evil, hear on evil, speak on evil'. Photo: Eshan Sharma
The men and women in uniform, tasked with containing the outpouring of youth angst. Photo: Eshan Sharma
When the Gen Z protestors braved tear gas and the force of security action, the eyes of people across the nation watered. Photo: Eshan Sharma
A clinching victory: Protestors celebrate on Saturday (July 25) after their demands are met. Photo: Eshan Sharma
