How Students Are the First Line of Resistance, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Student protests in India are presented as a continuous and evolving form of resistance against government policies and perceived threats to democracy.
• Early significant protests include the 2015 Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) hunger strike against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment.
• Subsequent movements addressed issues like non-NET fellowships (Occupy UGC), Rohith Vemula's death, alleged sedition cases in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and anti-fee hike agitations.
• Students also resisted the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and participated in protests against social injustices like the Unnao and Hathras rape cases.
• Gen Z has introduced new protest methods, utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and Reddit for satire, memes, and reels.
• The government has often responded with measures like labeling protesters as "anti-nationals," police brutality, and invoking laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
• Recent protests include those against electoral malpractices and demands for restoring student union elections.

Detailed Insights:

• The article posits that student movements are not isolated but stem from accumulated grievances over time, often ignored or distorted.
• The FTII protests in 2015 lasted 139 days, challenging the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan due to his alleged lack of academic credentials and political affiliations.
• The government's response to early protests often involved dismissing participants as "anti-nationals," a tactic seen as an "overused modus operandi."
• Other significant student-led agitations include the Occupy UGC movement for non-NET fellowships and the Justice for Rohith Vemula campaign.
• Protests against alleged sedition cases in JNU and anti-fee hike movements in various universities like Panjab University and Delhi University highlight ongoing student concerns.
• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to student resistance like the Jantar Mantar 1.0 movement.
• Students have actively participated in broader social justice movements, including those against the Unnao and Hathras rape cases and sexual harassment in the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
• Gen Z's political participation has transformed protest culture, integrating humor, satire, and content creation through social media platforms.
• The article criticizes the government's use of police force, arbitrary First Information Reports (FIRs), "peace bonds," and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against student activists.
• The denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site is seen as an attack on democracy, prompting calls for widespread peaceful resistance.
• Demands for the restoration of student union elections across campuses are viewed as crucial steps towards rebuilding democratic institutions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): A stringent anti-terrorism law that has been criticized for its broad scope and potential for misuse against dissent.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive framework introduced by the Indian government to guide the development of education in the country.
• Jantar Mantar: A historic site in Delhi often used for protests and demonstrations, symbolizing public dissent.
• Gen Z: The demographic cohort succeeding Millennials, characterized by their digital native status and unique approaches to social and political engagement.