NEW DELHI: Student-led protests over alleged examination irregularities and paper leak accusations have expanded across several Indian states, with demonstrators demanding accountability from the government despite a heightened security response.
According to media reports, demonstrations that began in New Delhi have spread to multiple regions, including Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal. Protesters have called for action over alleged flaws in the country’s education system and have demanded the resignation of senior government officials responsible for education and internal affairs.
Videos circulating on social media platform X appeared to show large crowds of students and young people gathering in different cities. Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of those videos.
Media reports also said security forces used crowd-control measures during the demonstrations. Protesters and opposition leaders alleged that police baton-charged students and fired tear gas shells to disperse crowds. Indian authorities had not immediately responded to those specific allegations.
According to Al Jazeera, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was briefly detained while expressing support for the student protesters. The reported detention prompted demonstrations by several opposition parties, which condemned the government’s handling of the protests and voiced support for students demanding reforms.
Opposition leader Priyanka Gandhi accused security forces of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, alleging that students were beaten with batons and tear gas was used against them during protests.
Amnesty International also expressed concern over the reported crackdown, saying images emerging from the demonstrations raised questions about the protection of the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in India.
The protests come amid growing public debate over examination transparency, recruitment processes, and accountability within India’s education system. As demonstrations continue across several states, attention remains focused on how authorities respond to the students’ demands and the broader concerns surrounding examination integrity.
