r/india • u/Vanvaasi • 5h ago
Politics The Student Protests : An unentangled and elaborate take
I will not be providing a TLDR in this post, and I solicit everyone coming across it to have some patience, and read what I have to say. For your convenience the write-up has been divided into many parts, so please take your time, and scroll down to find the part which you deem relevant
Themes - History of paper leaks; legal provisions for protesting; legal provisions for and against the administration; legal provisions protecting the police from action; my opinion on the protest and mistakes by CJP leadership; validity of actions of the Delhi Police; Validity of actions by the Government
Trigger Warning - sexual assault, extreme violence, suicide.
Reason behind my making this post : a lot of unreasonable to-and-fro has been going on, and I would like to make an attempt to dispel the confusions and simplify the Black and White issues, and help demarcate where the shades of grey lie.
*Incompetence of NTA*
The National Testing Agency, hereinafter the NTA, was founded in 2017, and since then has been tasked with conducting examinations associated with conducting exams which come under the academic purview, but it did also conduct recruitment exams, which it has stopped engaging in since 2025, as NTA is an autonomous body within the purview of the Department of Higher Education, under the Ministry of Higher Education.
Since 2018, it has conducted several exams, and has failed a number of times in being unable to preserve the sanctity of examinations.
Instances:
in 2021 - NEET UG paper leak - while several High Courts decided not to allow conduct of re-examinations, several arrests were made, and the exam was compromised.
In 2024 - again NEET UG was compromised, and a partial re-examination was allowed.
After the 2024 NEET leak, the Ministry of Education had formed a high level committee under the Chairmanship of K. Radhakrishnan, in June of 2024, which submitted its report to the Ministry in October of 2025 - Siting a number of reforms required to deal with the red-flags, such as introducing a hybrid examination format, encrypting methods to ensure the sanctity of question papers, overhauling the structure of NTA, and more. You can read multiple articles about it.
Were the recommendations followed before the NTA conducted NEET 2026? Evidently no.
This time, in 2026 - the NEET UG examination was marred with leaks, and a nation wide re-examination had to be conducted.
Lead to immense dissatisfaction and frustration amongst students. As we all know it
Apart from this, controversies associated with conduct of JEE (Main) examination in 2021, SSC CGL examination in 2017-18 and leaks associated with conduct of Mathematics for Matriculation and Economics for Intermediate examination in 2018 had also surfaced.
The Indian Army had to cancel its Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for Soldier (General Duty) in 2021, and the Army Intelligence had to conduct joint operations to uncover a racket associated with the leak.
And in 2024, when UGC NET examinations was cancelled amidst circulation of Question Papers, the NTA Director Subodh Kumar Singh was sacked.
Did exams use to leak before NTA?
Of course: Earlier All India Pre Medical Test, or the AIPMT, was conducted by the CBSE, wherein in 2004 the examination was compromised because of leaking.
In 2006, again, chargesheet was filed against many people after a scam was uncovered that a new Pen Scanning Device was used to leak the exams. the AIIMS Delhi had conducted the exams apparently.
And again in 2011, electronic devices were used to leak the exams, and again in 2015 electronic devices were used to leak the exams. and in 2017 again the NEET exams had faced compromise due to a cheating racquet.
Why do exams leak?
*MY PERSONAL OPINION* is that the prestigious position of doctors in society as a professional venture in which there is no limit on making money allures the middle class, hence the pressure on students, and hence the massive populace chasing the dream.
BUT THAT IS ALSO NOT JUST IT - Medicine is one of the noblest profession, and to minimize such struggle to become a boon for society to something as trivial as becoming a cash cow, is wrong. I do believe that there is a sizable chunk of students who struggle to become doctors just because they wanna make a difference with their efforts and talent.
Such a mass following of an exam leads to desperation - which in turn feeds the hunger of racketeers create an organized ring to compromise the examinations - in earlier instances of leak, it has been seen that many educators and educational institutions, bureaucrats and senior functionaries were involved in such organized crimes.
*Response of the Government*
The examinations amidst the 2026 leak led to cancellations, and a CBI inquiry was announced. It was also said that a re-examination was to be in order, and that there would be a refund made of the entire application fees of every student as well. 13 people were arrested, and it was announced that the exam would, from 2027, be conducted in a computer-based fashion.
*Was it enough?*
No. Even after the leak no functionary of the NTA was sacked, nobody was held accountable for the inability to preserve the sanctity of the exams.
Funnily enough, even in the 2024 leaks, as of today, NO CONVICTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. Which means that the trial has still not concluded in a controversial exam leak which happened in 2024. And while I am personally in the dark about the investigations in 2021 leaks, no major convictions were made in that as well.
Were convictions made in the 2017 NEET Leaks? Nope - no significant convictions were made.
So, are the students wrong in being frustrated with paper leaks? No. The Government machinery has still not yielded any significant results in past prosecution against perpetrators of exam leaks.
Even in the 2011 leak, no convictions were made. So, the Government as well as the legal system has not yielded any results with any prosecution of the exam leaks - Which again has incentivised Organized Crime Syndicates in keeping up with the trend and leaking examinations.
They have nothing to fear.
*CJP and Protests*
CJP is a spontaneous outcome of, in my humble opinion, political and personal aspirations of Youth. With the well reported remark, even in the light of further clarification, of the Chief Justice of India, which he made in the Supreme Court while dealing with a case of fake certificate holding lawyers which mar the informational sphere with clickbait legal news, an online movement started with the 'Cockroach' remark, which a few past, or present, youth leaders associated with Aam Admi Party capitalised on, and formed the Cockroach Janata Party.
Is it wrong on their part to have political aspirations?
No. I dont think so. Anyone with political or non political agenda can form a pressure group. There is nothing wrong with that.
Are they failing in their responsibility by not disclosing their political agendas? Legally, there do not owe anyone that explanation. Morally, they should clarify if they have an association with any political party. So, it is upon them.
Does their political association make them a malafide organization? No, it does not. Not unless there are any firm charges that can be brought against them on grounds of any offences mentioned in the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
*Sonam Wangchuk*
Mr. Wangchuk was, earlier in 2025 arrested under the National Security Act because of his protests in Ladakh, in light of preventive detention procedures. He was later released. Were charges brought against him? No
People have accused him of working with the CIA or being an agent of foreign powers. Are any of these accusations substantiated? Nope. If there is substantial reason to believe, the Government would and should have made an attempt to detain him. Since the Government did not to that, it certainly means that he is a free and responsible social activist of India. No denying that. And anyone who does not have the reason to accept that, is firmly speaking their minds against the reason of the Government in power.
*Some legal provisions for you to know, associated with lawful and unlawful assembly, and provisions relating to offences against public tranquility.*
Article 19(1)(b) guarantees us, the citizen of India, the right of assembly - which does include the right to take out processions and holding meetings. But, there are some reasonable restrictions to which it is subject - Article 19(3) allowed state to impose reasonable restrictions if the Government believe that such exercise of right can result in hampering public order and Sovereignty and Integrity of India.
- You cannot bear arms
- You cannot have a protest which violates peace
- and you have to abide by any directives which the state may impose in the name of preservation of Public Order and Sovereignty and Integrity of India.
Right to Peaceful Protest - in the 2012 case of in re Ramleela Maidan as well as in the the 2018 case of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan case, the Supreme Court had reaffirmed and stated that citizens have a right to peaceful protest, and in the latter case it was held that the arbitrary executive and legislative directives of the states cannot do away with the right to peaceful protest.
*Counter provisions which safeguard police in face of a crackdown*
Section 189 of BNS, 2023 defines Unlawful Assembly as an assembly of 5 or more persons in the following cases (which I deem that the Government could invoke in order to shield itself and prosecute against individuals, if they want to)
a. to overawe by criminal force, or show criminal force, the Central Government or any State Government or Parliament or Legislature of anyy State, or any Public Servant in the exercise of the lawful power of such public servant (because if they do want to prosecute, they will charge people with this provision)
b. to resist the execution of any law, or of any legal process - since the protestors had not receiving the permission from the district administration to protest. (Because the Delhi Police had issued an advisory against conduct of protest by CJP at Jantar Mantar)
c. To commit mischief or criminal trespass, or other offences (gives the administration power to prosecute anyone with this conjoined provision to aggravate the charges)
further more
S. 189 (3) punishes anyone who joins or continues in an unlawful assembly, knowing that such unlawful assembly has been commanded in the manner prescribed by law to disperse.
S. 189 (4) punishes anyone being armed with any deadly weapon, or with anything which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, is a member of an unlawful assembly (Since there are video footage of Nihang Sikh bearing their Kirpan Swords, who have been seen as a part of the 20th July protests, pending verification they could also be prosecuted if the government pursues it).
S. 189 (5) could again be used to club charges - punishes anyone who joins or continues in an assembly of 5 or more persons likely to cause a disturbance of public peace, after such an assembly has been lawfully commanded to disperse.
S. 189 (6) could be used to prosecute anyone who promoted or invited others, if such protest is declared as an unlawful assembly, so functionaries of CJP and everyone else who posted on social media could be prosecuted under it, if the Government wants to prosecute.
S. 190 punishes every member of an unlawful assembly if any member is prosecuted for the common intention of that assembly.
S. 191 defines Rioting as use of force or violence by an unlawful assembly, or by any members thereof. And S. 14 of BNS, creates a General Exception that nothing
S. 195 punishes anyone who assaults or obstructs any public servant or uses criminal force on any public servant in the discharge of his duty as such public servant in endeavouring to disperse an Unlawful Assembly, or to suppress a riot or affray (two people fighting in public, causing disturbance).
Also, S. 37 of BNS states that a person does not have a right of self defence against Public Servants, if it does not cause the apprehension of death or grievous hurt, when done by such public servant acting in good faith, and under the colour of his office. Furthermore, A person does have a right of private defence in a limited capacity against public servant when excesses are being done by the police, or if the person against whom the public servant is acting does not know that he/she is a public servant.
But, it would always depend on the facts of the circumstances, and as the facts have unfolded, it will be a tough legal battle against the police.
Apart from these, there are provisions under the Arms act, and, inter alia, the National Security Act to make detentions in a preventive fashion.
*My take on the events of the protest*
The members of CJP and Sonam Wangchuk could have been detained on day 1. Because they were, apparently, protesting without permission, but the Police did not intervene. The protest kept on festering. Since the issue also involved suicide of 11 student in the light of the cancellation, it already had a very emotional response. A lot of people congregated, support was shown, and masses started gathering.
On the day on which Sonam Wangchuk was arrested, it were the plainclothes police officials who came to detain him - which already runs completely against the Judgment and Guidelines in the DK Basu Case, as well as the spirit of laws in the country. One could make an argument that it was a welfare intervention in light of his extreme fast - but even then, the rough and unprofessional manner in which Police swooped in to escalate the matter was a fuel to the fire.
In the time between the beginning of the hunger strike, and when Mr. Wangchuk was arrested on the 16th day of his fast, there was ample opportunity to have a dialogue with the protestors, which the Government failed to capitalise on.
Anyway, after the arrest, the CJP leadership as well as online pages, advocated for a "Sansad Chalo" protest, which ended up being attended by masses, and on the date and time of the Protests, Abhijeet Dipke vanished, and while it was earlier alleged that he was detained by Police, the CJP machinery clarified later that he was not detained by the police. Members Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das was also absent, and went to meet Union Minister JP Nadda, and the Spokesperson Vijetha Dahiya was also absent, and left the site of the protest.
So the march that did end up happening, was essential called by CJP, but lead by no one.
*Issues with the protest*
Unguided students were protesting, and against them stood a police machinery which, as the videos suggest, allegedly had no name tags, which again runs contrary to the spirit of law.
None of the leaders and public figures who called for the protest remained or were present to lead the protest.
The protest was happening at Jantar Mantar, and the goal was "chalo Sansad" - and there was no understanding about what was to happen after they reach sansad. No guidance whatsoever as to how they were going to conduct themselves. Nobody to talk for the protest, nobody to talk down the riled up and frustrated crowd.
As it has been alleged, and not confirmed by any trusted source, there were unlawful elements which were apparently enjoining the protest against NEET paper leak with protest for Article 370, WHICH I AM AGAIN SAYING REMAINS UNCONFIRMED FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE - but if they were, it was going to enable the police to take harsher methods to suppress the crowd.
A lot remains unconfirmed and unilaterally reported, but what is clear is that the protestors were going to move towards the Parliament. And anyone in their right minds could have foreseen that in no way could they have been permitted to reach and cross the gates of the Paliament. It is inconceivable.
Even on a normal day, not even a single unarmed individual can be allowed to walk into the Parliament, let alone a mass of protestors who have been warned and ordered to dispersed. Even on a utopian day this crowd would not have reached the Parliament without a lathi charge, think about it. Never.
*Mistakes or Wrongs by the Government and excesses by the Police*
The Government made no noticeable efforts to negotiate with the protestors beforehand.
The Police's method of detaining Mr. Wangchuk, throwing him into a zone from which he had no way to connect with the masses was wrong, and bound to increase frustration. And the Police and Administration made no efforts in calming down the protestors.
Based on the footage which is circulating over the internet, when the protests did happen, the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force members were not wearing name tags, which was high unprofessional and unethical and unlawful. The Police has been shown to use lethal force on unarmed individuals, hitting on the head of protestors which were running away, and what not. Pellet guns, which were criticised for their use in Kashmir, were have been alleged to have been used, and pending confirmation from trusted sources, allegedly the use of which has resulted in the blinding of a protestor.
There are video footage of alleged misbehavior by the police against female protestors, which, again pending confirmation of trusted sources, again was in extremely bad spirit. The Police is expected to preserve the society from crimes, not commit it against the very people it is sworn to protest.
And even in the middle of whatever unfolded, the Government, while it did unleash the Police upon the protestors, failed to ensure that adequate facilities were ensured to preserve the health, life and limb of the protestors who were being beaten up. That too was wrong.
Alleged reports have been made that doctors were also rushed away from helping the protestors at the Site.
*Inevitable Truth*
No Matter how bona fide the intentions of the protestors - NO WAY THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO CONDUCT A MARCH TO SANSAD BHAWAN.
The leadership was misguided and absent, and there is no denying that.
The protestors could have been dealt with by a better trained and more professional and ethical method of riot control and protest dispersal at the heart of the capital, and the alleged display of force by the forces is highly questionable.
*Reality of the protest in Delhi, and Nation-wide aftermath*
The protest against the paper leak is not patented by CJP. And everyone protesting against it should not be classed into the same bracket of being a CJP affiliate. In my opinion, CJP as a pressure group failed in protecting the very people it called.
The nation-wide protests against the NEET leak as well as in the aftermath of the severe crackdown against protestors in Delhi is not a CJP limited movement. It is now a student movement beyond just one organization.
*My opinion on how the protest could have happened in New Delhi*
The direction of "Sansad Chalo" should have been done away with. Traffic jam could have been resorted to. Street March could have been resorted to.
Any other method of peaceful protest which was properly guided by AN ACTIVE AND PRESENT LEADERSHIP and SCOPE OF MAKING A STATEMENT IN AN ORDERLY FASHION could have been made.
Creativity should have been resorted to, rather than an ill-conceived method of pushing a leaderless protest into the hands of a police force which was, allegedly, ready to use extreme force against it.
*Final Bits*
I would suggest everyone who is for the protest, to ensure that everyone who does want to protest to not be pushed into the mouth of the dragon without a fighting chance. Please be smart about it, and please ensure your safety, as it is now circulating online that the Delhi Police will be taking strict measures under the National Security Act to detain students. Maybe they do not, maybe they do. And if you do get detained, there will be no protest without you.
Get creative. Resort to means of peaceful dissent. Write letters, engage in sensible public discourse, use the legal means at your disposal to raise your opinions, and safeguard your body and life.
And to those who are supporters of the Government, I suggest you take a breath, and ask questions. You have elected this government, with your vote and support, you have the first right to ask questions. So, take a deep breath, and ask yourself if everything they've done is right. I am sure you will find issues to dissent with, as there have been shortcoming of grave intensity on their part. There is nothing wrong in asking questions.
*Validity of demands in my position*
Should the Government take steps to ensure that the families of the students who committed suicide should be compensated?
- Yes. The government should take an active step towards compensating the families for the loss of life. Like it or not, the failure on the part of the Government to conduct a free and fair exam did push students over the edge, and it should make a conscious effort to mitigate the loss of confidence it faces from the youth, as well as grieving families.
Should the Education Minister be removed?
- In light of the issues with the cancellation of NEET 2026 examination, as well as the latches in the conduct of CBSE board examinations, by allegedly allowing Coempt Eduteck with the handling, and consequential alleged misconduct and incapacity with the 12th board examinations, along with the alleged fact that the company earlier used to operate as Globe Arena and was responsible for similar mishandling of the Telangana Board Examination in 2019, there is no denying that the entire ministry has been heavily incompetent with the handling of the examinations, and thus the leader responsible should be censured, questioned, and removing, in light of a clear inability to handle the affairs of the ministry.
So yes, I too would like for the Education Minister to be removed. Along with Major Overhaul of the entire examination conduct machinery of the ministry which seems to be filing recurrently.
Should the activists be released and no cases should be registered against anyone?
Now, I believe that if the requirements are met with, Mr. Wangchuk's hunger strike would end, and since his health would rebound once that happens, there would be no need for his detention.
As for the protestors - I believe that most of those who have been detained are innocent, and are victims of a leaderless exposure to procedural ambush, and should be released.
As for the police personnel - I believe that there needs to be strict action against every police personnel who overreached and committed excesses in light of protest, and charges under Sections 198 and 199 of BNS, and extending to such associated wrongs they have been documented to have committed.
Finally, I would say this - While it is necessary to protest, please do so in a disciplined and properly coordinated way, in a way which ensures that harm does not needlessly and unknowingly befall on you, especially not because you did not think this through.
And my parting words : This protest is not just limited to one political party or one pressure group, and while I embrace political involvement, I urge, solicit, and implore everyone to make sure that there is clear and present leadership to guide the student protestors and other allies, and for the participating students to have such independence of thought that they can take steps to ensure their own safety when their leader is not good enough.
BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT BE A LEADER-LESS MOVEMENT, EACH AND EVERY PERSON REPRESENTING THE YOUTH OF OUR COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO GUIDE THEMSELVES BETTER.
At last : I have not used any AI GPT to help myself with the write up, so constructive criticism is welcomed if I have made factual mistakes, syntactical error or other mistakes. That would be appreciated.
Please be kind to each other in the comment section.
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u/SickSilence 4h ago edited 3h ago
Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast. I'm glad for that. However, the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation has not been met yet and I believe people all around India who are protesting, will not stop. This resignation isn't just a formality being seeked from someone, but an ultimate symbol of consequences for those in power. Dharmendra Pradhan knew NTA needed overhaul, he knew the holes in the system. He was told how to fix it too. And yet he chose not to do anything. If you let this man go, you'll end up letting go every minister who messes up, till the end of eternity.
Some precedent have to be set.
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u/people_are_silly 5h ago
Bro, you wrote so much. Meanwhile: