Indian Police Clash With Students During Protest Over Exam Irregularities

Indian police used batons to disperse student protesters in New Delhi on Monday as demonstrators attempted to march to parliament over alleged irregularities in major national examinations, according to AFP.

Thousands of students gathered at the Jantar Mantar protest site despite steady monsoon rains and heavy security, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination controversies, including question paper leaks and technical failures.

AFP journalists at the scene reported that riot police charged at protesters, forcing many to flee as clashes broke out near the demonstration venue.

“We want the government to hear us, not silence us,” 19-year-old student K.M. Gulshan said.

The protests followed the hospitalization of activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday after he ended a 20-day hunger strike in support of young people and the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement.

Since its launch in May, the CJP has gained millions of followers on social media by tapping into growing frustration over India’s education system and rising unemployment. The movement is widely viewed as one of the biggest public challenges facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he secured a third term in office in 2024.

In a post on X, the CJP urged the government to halt the police action, saying: “PM @narendramodi tell your police to stand down.”

“We are a democracy in case you have forgotten. The whole world is watching as you’re trying to crush a democratic and peaceful protest.”

Public anger has intensified in recent months following a series of examination scandals. Last month, about 2.2 million medical school applicants were forced to retake a national entrance examination after the original test was cancelled because of a question paper leak. Another controversy involving the online marking of examinations taken by nearly two million secondary school students further fueled criticism of the education system.

Read Also: Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Neutralise Suspect in Kogi State

Authorities also suspended internet services in parts of central New Delhi on Monday, with police maintaining that organisers had not obtained permission to stage the protest.

“Any person violating these prohibitory orders shall be liable for prosecution,” Delhi Police said in a statement.

Among the demonstrators was 16-year-old Shubhi Rao, who said she joined the protest in support of Wangchuk and to demand accountability from the government.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown himself as someone who isn’t bothered about the youth of this country,” she told AFP.

Although Modi did not address the demonstrations during his remarks ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, opposition lawmakers raised the issue in both chambers.

Senior Congress Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of using force against students, saying: “Thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar. The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away.”

Opposition legislators also chanted slogans in the lower house, demanding the education minister’s resignation and justice for affected students.