Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Two Protests, Shifting Political Legitimacy in India
There are two protests happening in India.
One is by young people who are upset about a big exam called NEET, where some papers were leaked, and they want the government to do something about it.
The other protest is about the government not listening to people's problems.
The government doesn't seem to care much about these protests, and not many people are supporting the protesters.
This is different from a big protest that happened in 2011, where lots of people and famous personalities supported it.
The government now focuses more on Hindu nationalism, which makes it harder for protesters to get their message across.
The protesters need to challenge this idea to be heard.
Protesters demand accountability for the NEET paper leak and educational reform, but the government has not engaged with them.
The government's legitimacy is increasingly based on Hindu nationalism, as seen in the inauguration of the Ram temple.
Media coverage and public support for the protests are limited compared to past movements like the Anna Hazare protest in 2011.
The educated youth's response to the protest has been tepid, failing to translate social media following into concrete action.
The government's indifference to protests is part of a broader pattern, including responses to demonetization, anti-CAA protests, and farmers' protests.
- Who
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) youth protesters and the Narendra Modi government
- What
- Protests demanding accountability and educational reform, government's indifference and Hindu nationalist legitimacy
- When
- Ongoing, with historical context from 2011 and 2024
- Where
- Jantar Mantar, India
- Why
- Protesters seek accountability for the NEET paper leak and educational reform; the government prioritizes Hindu nationalism as its legitimacy framework.
Government Perspective
Protesters' Perspective
Government's Response to Protests
Government Perspective
The government views its actions as necessary for maintaining stability and national strength, prioritizing Hindu nationalism as the foundation of its legitimacy.
Protesters' Perspective
Protesters see the government's response as callous indifference, demanding accountability and educational reform, especially in light of the NEET paper leak.
Media and Public Support
Government Perspective
The government benefits from the support of mainstream media and civil society grandees, who align with its Hindu nationalist narrative.
Protesters' Perspective
Protesters struggle with limited media coverage and tepid public support, failing to mobilize the educated youth as effectively as past movements.
- Protest Location
- Jantar Mantar
- Protest Duration
- Ongoing
- Key Figures
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) youth, Gandhian veteran on hunger strike
- Government Response
- No communication or negotiation with protesters
- Media Coverage
- Limited, compared to past protests
- Public Support
- Tepid, especially among educated youth
- Legitimacy Framework
- Hindu nationalism as the primary pillar