Lessons from Delhi protests The Statesman 04 Aug 2026

https://epaper.thestatesman.com/4183408/Delhi-The-Statesman/04-08-2026

Lessons from Delhi protests The Statesman 04 Aug 2026

          What emerged as most alarming in recent protests at Jantar Mantar was language used by some youth against the Prime Minister, whom PM Modi announced to forgive. Most abusers were girls, which added to discomfort. While many mentioned poor upbringing of those who passed these comments, the reality is that this is the language of today’s youth. Further, most did so only for social media traction.

The fact that many have deactivated their handles indicates that they are under pressure, from government agencies and common citizens, who considered these comments unacceptable. Numbers involved in passing abusive comments were miniscule, possibly a few dozen, and hence do not represent the Gen Z of India. The youth also backed the protest believing that the education system needs an overhaul.

The protests convey lessons for the government. The authorities had assumed that protests borne from social media campaigns would never succeed, hence this was neither taken seriously nor monitored. The manner in which social media brought participants on the march day highlights its monitoring must be given greater attention by security agencies.  Further, this is the future and political parties need to give it emphasis.

Similar to Shaheen Bagh and Farmers’ protest, the government let this continue, hoping it would fizzle out. Both those protests were kept away from Jantar Mantar, with the farmers not even permitted to enter Delhi. In this case it was permitted, possibly due to low attendance. Abhijeet Dipke, at one stage, requested the police, not to permit any other protest in Jantar Mantar as it would reduce their visibility.      

Permitting a protest which could become uncomfortable, so close to government establishments, including parliament, was an error. Jantar Mantar is only suitable for small sit-down one-day protests. The CJP protest should logically have been moved to Ram Lila Maidan, the official venue for political and other protests. Learning this lesson, Jantar Mantar has now been sealed for any future protests.

Secondly, the police had underestimated numbers which would be present on the day of the march to parliament. Till a day before, there were more media and social media influencers than protestors. Many came only to partake free meals. What possibly galvanized people was forcibly shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital. The administration assumed that this would diffuse the protests, in fact it had the opposite effect.

On the night before the march, thousands came in buses and other transport from the fringes of Delhi, egged on by calls on social media or encouraged by political parties, compounding the security scenario. This move should have been checked well away from the protest site and Jantar Mantar isolated, but was not. Such large numbers left security agencies unprepared, though barricades to control the march had been set up.

The aim behind the protests was to embarrass the government and force its surrender, as the PM was known to never bow to pressure and dismiss a minister. The government acceding to demands of the CJP was a boost to opposition political parties, who have since considered it their victory.   

Mobs go out of control quickly and it happened here. In an era of social media, what emerged online were videos projected by youth of police brutality, rather than students’ aggressiveness and attacks on police personnel. The government engaging protest leaders immediately after the violence indicated that it realized its assessments had failed and negotiations were the only way out, especially as parliament was in session.

Another factor which worked in favour of the protestors was that their demand for resignation of the education minister and refining examination procedures, was backed by the youth.  This subject also went beyond religion or community, unlike other earlier protests (Shaheen Bagh or farmers), thereby drawing diverse members. Further, leakage of papers as also a collapsing education system has ignited youth anger, especially when reservations limit admission to professional colleges and job opportunities are scarce.

Many protesting were not against the government but sought reforms in education. The government also did not desire a repeat of the Mandal agitation which shook the VP Singh government.

A factor which forced the government to back down was sympathy protests across the country. These were the result of social media broadcasts and organizers quickly forming regional cells. Widespread support conveyed that there were shortcomings in the education system and it needed an overhaul. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill and formation of a committee to reform the current system are welcome steps.

An added error was that the administration did not pay much heed, in the initial stages, to the fact that the agitation was being funded by entities with ulterior motives. Unlimited food, payment to those attending and expenses for maintaining the protest site were giveaways. The government waking up and tracking flow of funds after the chicken has flown the coop will have little meaning. While it may prove beneficial in preventing future protests, it should have been done before.

The government bowing to protestors and agreeing to cancel all FIRs registered against students involved in violence will impact morale of security forces, which bore the brunt. There were more security force personnel injured than protestors. The Supreme Court’s ruling mentioning authorities can continue investigating FIRs registered during the protests while stopping coercive action against student protesters, came as a relief.

The court also ordered release of detained minors and called for an independent inquiry into police excesses. Family members of injured police personnel have approached courts for registering criminal charges against those involved in violence. It goes to the credit of the police that despite provocation and violent mobs, not a single shot was fired nor a single life lost.

Leaders of the CJP have dismissed the SC ruling and threatened another agitation, which will be nowhere near anything of what transpired. The scenario has changed and the CJP has lost vital ground. It can now protest on social media, as Jantar Mantar, which enabled protestors to apply pressure, will no longer be available. The government will also be well prepared. In talks, the CJP, has been outwitted by a smart government.

The CJP’s backers thought that this was India’s Arab Spring moment and were rejoicing. But this was not to be. Currently, a social media battle is on between the CJP, seeking dropping of all cases, and pro-government entities calling the CJP bluff. This ongoing stalemate appears to favour the government.