Following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a significant assembly of students, activists, scholars, and artists convened at Freedom Park on Sunday in Bengaluru. Organized by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), they declared that their movement was far from finished.
Dubbed ‘Victory and Continued Protest: The Fight Will Go On’, the gathering underscored that their struggle transcended the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to encompass wider issues concerning education, democracy, and social justice. Although the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced the cessation of their protests after Pradhan’s resignation and the Centre’s tentative agreement to their demands, the turnout on Sunday remained as robust as in previous days.
Student organizations in Bengaluru expressed their intention to persist with protests, particularly on weekends, demanding comprehensive reforms in education.
Notable historian Ramachandra Guha, who participated in the protest, remarked on the crowd’s enthusiasm, stating it “made my spine straighter.” He drew connections to previous resistance movements, recalling the December 2019 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Guha also referenced significant historical dates, including December 19, 1927, when revolutionary Bhagat Singh honored executed freedom fighters, and December 19, 1947, when Mahatma Gandhi urged Muslims in Delhi to remain in India, assuring them equality in the new nation.
A student from Tripura shared her experience of leaving home for education while advocating for justice. Others voiced concerns regarding regions like Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya, and Kashmir, emphasizing that the protest amplified voices often overlooked.
Ganga, a representative from the Volunteers Student Association, stated that the movement would persist until education was accessible to every child, insisting, “The fight does not end today. It ends only when every child can go to school.”
Joshua, a college student, noted that the movement was “long overdue,” adding, “The demands have been met, but there is still a long way to go. Witnessing artists like Pasha Bhai and other rappers, alongside poetry and performance, address these issues was powerful. It raises awareness about matters that mainstream media frequently neglects. Participating in this protest felt empowering, as if we have a voice.”
In a related incident, Bengaluru police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against an unidentified woman for allegedly showcasing placards supporting jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who are implicated in the 2020 Delhi riots case. During CJP protests at Freedom Park on Friday, she reportedly displayed placards with slogans such as “Umar Khalid Zindabad” and “Sharjeel Imam Zindabad.” The Upparpet police station initiated a suo motu case regarding this matter under Section 192 (provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
