India student protests raise political risk for Modi government

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India student protests test Modi

Highlights

Tens of thousands of students protested in Delhi after leaked national medical exam papers in May led to the test's cancellation and allegations of police violence.
Prominent opposition leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were briefly detained during demonstrations, as major political parties rallied behind the student movement, raising pressure on the Modi government.
Analysts warn that the protests signal growing discontent among the BJP's urban middle-class Hindu base, amplified by concerns over youth unemployment and recent governance controversies.

Protests intensify after exam leak backlash

As reported by Financial Times, the protests began after the leak in May of papers for a national medical college entrance exam, which forced the test to be cancelled and triggered weeks of simmering anger. The demonstrations escalated over the weekend after human rights activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on hunger strike in support of students, was removed by police from the main protest site and taken to hospital.

Monday’s large protests in Delhi, involving tens of thousands of students, gain further attention after videos spread widely on social media showing police beating and tear-gassing protesters, some as young as 16. Tensions rise again on Tuesday when national opposition parties back the movement, and police briefly detain opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka during a sit-in outside Modi’s official residence in New Delhi.

Government supporters say the administration has already addressed the immediate problem and remains committed to overhauling the examination system. Baijayant Panda, a senior BJP lawmaker and party vice-president, says the original protest is being taken over by political actors seeking to derail the government’s agenda.

Youth anger adds to pressure on BJP

Analysts and political observers say the protests are especially sensitive for Modi because they come from the urban middle-class Hindu population that has formed an important part of the BJP’s support base. Shekhar Gupta of ThePrint says these voters are the party’s default supporters and now feel let down, while Pramit Pal Chaudhuri of Eurasia says the movement puts the BJP and Modi government on warning even if it does not yet threaten major electoral losses.

The protests are also feeding into wider criticism of the government’s record as an effective administrator. Recent complaints over ethanol-blended fuel damaging car engines and a scandal involving alleged embezzlement of donations to a newly built temple in Ayodhya are adding to public frustration.

Opposition figures argue the government is underestimating the potency of the issue because competitive exams are seen as a key path out of caste and poverty. Commentators also say the deeper risk lies in youth unemployment and frustration, with a large pool of discontented young people that could turn the exam controversy into a broader rallying point against the government.

In our earlier article on UK youth inactivity and the push to cut employers’ national insurance for under-25s, we examined how policymakers are trying to reduce barriers to entry-level hiring as joblessness among young people worsens. We also noted the trade-off between headline tax relief and fiscal credibility, with critics warning that costly incentives may deliver only limited net gains while putting additional pressure on the public finances.

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