Students in India have consistently mobilised themselves against injustice, inequality, and policies perceived as detrimental to public welfare. They have used their collective voice and activism to challenge authority, and shape public discourse, and advocate for social and political change throughout the country’s history.
The history of student protests in India is rich and multifaceted, spanning various socio-political movements and reflecting the evolving aspirations and concerns of the youth. Throughout these phases, students in India have consistently demonstrated their role as agents of change and guardians of democratic values. They have used various forms of protest including strikes, rallies, sit-ins, and social media campaigns to raise awareness, challenge authority, and push for social justice, highlighting their significant impact on Indian society and politics.
Here’s an overview of the key phases and movements in the history of student protests in India:
Pre-Independence Era (Late 19th Century – 1947):
Role in Freedom Struggle: Students played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Organizations like the Indian National Congress (INC) and All India Students’ Conference (AISC) mobilized students for boycotts, protests, and civil disobedience movements.
Partition and Communal Harmony: Post-Partition, students protested against communal violence and advocated for communal harmony and refugee rehabilitation.
Post-Independence (1947-1960s):
Language Movements: States like Tamil Nadu (Anti-Hindi agitation), Karnataka (Gokak agitation for Kannada language), and West Bengal (Bengali Language Movement) witnessed student-led protests for linguistic rights and against language imposition.
Social Justice Movements: Dalit students’ movements emerged, demanding equality and rights for marginalized communities. The first major Dalit student organization, the Dalit Panther Movement, was formed in Maharashtra.
Anti-Imperialism and Socialism: Influenced by global anti-imperialist movements, students increasingly engaged in leftist and socialist ideologies. Protests against Vietnam War and support for Palestinian and Cuban revolutions were common.
Emergency Period (1975-1977): Students were at the forefront of resistance against Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, organizing underground movements, distributing literature, and facing arrests and censorship. Indira Gandhi’s declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 led to widespread political repression, censorship, and suspension of civil liberties. Students played a pivotal role in the resistance against the Emergency, organizing protests, distributing underground literature, and facing arrests and persecution by the government. The student-led resistance contributed to the eventual end of the Emergency in 1977 and the restoration of democratic freedoms, underscoring the power of youth activism in safeguarding democratic values.
Regional Autonomy Movements: States like Assam (Assam Movement), Punjab (Khalistan Movement), and Mizoram (Mizo National Front) witnessed student protests for regional autonomy and against perceived neglect by the central government.
Reservation Issues: Protests erupted against caste-based reservations, both for and against, in educational institutions and government jobs.
Mandal Commission Protests (1990): The implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations to provide reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions sparked protests across India. Students from universities like Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and various other institutions organized massive protests against the policy, citing concerns about meritocracy and access to education. The protests highlighted deep societal divisions on caste lines and eventually led to policy adjustments, including the implementation of reservations for OBCs in government jobs and higher education.
Globalization and Economic Reforms: Students protested against globalization policies, privatization of education, and economic reforms impacting affordability and access to education.
Environmental Activism: Movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan, led by Medha Patkar, involved students protesting against large-scale dam projects and advocating for environmental conservation.
Women’s Rights and Safety: Students mobilized against gender-based violence, notably after the Nirbhaya assault case in Delhi (2012), advocating for stricter laws and societal change. The brutal physical assault and murder of a young woman in Delhi (Nirbhaya case) sparked widespread outrage and protests across India, demanding justice for the victim and stringent measures to ensure women’s safety. Students from universities and colleges, particularly in Delhi, organized marches, candlelight vigils, and advocacy campaigns against gender-based violence. The protests led to legislative reforms, including amendments to criminal laws to provide stricter punishments for sexual offenses, and increased societal awareness about gender equality and women’s rights.
NRC and CAA Protests (2019-2020): The introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposed implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) sparked widespread protests across India. Students from universities nationwide, including Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), played a crucial role in organizing protests against the perceived discriminatory nature of the laws. The protests gained international attention, with students at the forefront, demanding the protection of secularism and constitutional values, leading to ongoing legal challenges and public discourse on citizenship and inclusivity in India.
Farmers’ Protests (2020-2021): Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and other states protested against the three controversial farm laws enacted by the central government, which they feared would corporatize agriculture and undermine their livelihoods. Students from various universities, including those in Delhi and Punjab, actively supported the farmers’ protests through solidarity marches, social media campaigns, and volunteering at protest sites. The protests gained international attention and forced the government to repeal the farm laws, highlighting the role of youth and student activism in advocating for farmers’ rights and rural issues.