India clamps down on student protests while courting Gen Z voters

Mass protests sparked by exam-paper leaks and calls for education reform gathered at Jantar Mantar in June, drawing thousands of students, many under 18. State governments led by the BJP initially detained hundreds and pressed serious charges, but after the Supreme Court ordered the release of all minors, several states withdrew cases and freed many detainees. Police actions, including baton strikes, tear-gas, pellet guns and alleged AI surveillance, have been challenged in court by activist Aishe Ghosh, who seeks a ruling that the data collection be destroyed.

Delhi Police also filed FIRs against users posting critical content about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X, demanding account details and removal of the posts. In response, the BJP has launched a digital campaign featuring pop-culture references and a gym-scene video to appeal to Gen Z, portraying the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as evidence of democratic strength. The dual strategy of repression and outreach underscores the government’s effort to contain dissent while preserving its youthful voter base.