Political unrest in India has led to concerns. The political government movement, which started with the protests of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a newly formed political party by Abhijeet Dipke, in New Delhi — the capital city of India — over allegations of leaking entrance exam papers for prestigious and highly competitive medical schools and for reforms in education sector, has spread into the entire new Delhi and beyond, including Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and West Bengal states, leading to clashes between law enforcers and demonstrators and arrests of dozens of protesters and political leaders including MP Rahul Ghandi. But, more importantly, it remains uncertain how far the movement will go.
The political crisis has already rapidly deteriorated during the last few days due to the participation and solidarity of opposition political parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, celebrities and others, and the government’s scant attention to resolve the crisis. Congress leaders, who gathered in front of the PM House against the police crackdown on the movement and the government’s rejection of discussing the matter in the parliament, have already demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, possibly indicating a new turn in the movement. Further deterioration and the possibility for the youth movement to become an all-out anti-government movement in the coming days is not unlikely altogether.
Though the youth leaders of the CJP have remained strict to their core demand, especially educational reform and the education minister’s step down, various reasons, including public anger over the government, which has been ruling India for more than a decade, and the growing support of opposition political parties and others, can rapidly deteriorate the political crisis and shift demands in the coming days. Anxieties over a slowing economy, high unemployment and diminishing opportunities, along with the lack of institutional transparency, can draw more, including more youths, into the movement. The successful youth movements from other countries — including Bangladesh and Nepal — may inspire an all-out anti-government movement.
The positive side is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited the demonstrators to hold talks, expressed the commitment to ensuring no paper leaks and announced fast-track courts to penalize exam fraud. But how much the slow response of the government amidst the rapid deterioration can deal with the crisis remains uncertain. The PM’s invitation was refused by youth protesters immediately, increasing the chance of further deterioration and the quick spread of it across the country. Despite the dismantling of makeshift tents in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the main base of the movement, it is going on with increased participation in Delhi and other areas and a growing determination among the protesters.
Addressing the reasoned concerns of the movement can help end the crisis before it goes out of the government’s control altogether. Force, imposing a ban on political rallies and internet cut-off can deteriorate the situation further, instead of discouraging. The use of force against major political movements, especially youth-led movements, often goes against the government with wider participation. In Bangladesh, the BAL government’s use of force on youth protesters rather helped the rapid spread of the movement across the country — leading to the overthrow of the government in 2024.
Talks between the government and demonstrators and providing scope for discussion in the parliament will help address the extant political crisis. The earlier the talks are held, the lower the chance of escalation into an all-out anti-government movement will become. But the government needs to avoid using force and end crackdown measures on demonstrators, youth, and opposition parties, in their peaceful political programs. It is desired that demonstrators carry out peaceful political activities, not destructive.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
