Over the decades, the attitude, mentality, and mindset that manifest in the civil and police administration playbooks of governments on handling dissent and protest haven’t changed—the July 20 youth-led protest in Delhi, and then elsewhere across the country, is evidence of this. Say what any government will, dissent and protest are inevitably met with brutal force and violence in the form of lathi charges, tear gas, water cannons, etc., and now, privacy-invasive AI-generated facial recognition tools. Then there is always the degradation and humiliation of protesters and opponents through abusive and offensive name-calling, twisting and falsifying facts and past events, and defamation. Other items in the playbook include threats, intimidation, and slapping all kinds of cases against them. The list is long and insidious, but it is a list believed to ensure the stranglehold of those in power.
This is a playbook inherited from our colonial masters. Ironically, free, independent, democratic, and secular India didn’t see fit to rid itself of this playbook—it actually honed, refined, and upgraded it, especially with advances in technology over the last twelve years. Jantar Mantar on July 20, 2026, is evidence. It doesn’t seem to occur to our governments to provide good governance, understand the reasons behind dissent, protests, and demands, engage in dialogue and debate, and arrive at a consensus before resorting to violence and brutality, causing the loss of life and limb.
Media reports state that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor has extended the Delhi Police’s power of preventive detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) until October 18 amid the ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party, which have led to widespread allegations of abuse of police powers against young protesters. On July 23, quoting police sources, the media also reported that people found directly involved in violence during the ongoing CJP protests may face cancellation of their passports. Then the police and the Rapid Action Force personnel ought to be detained and have their passports cancelled first. Ironic, isn’t it, that a colonial playbook of brutality and violence should be so tightly embraced by an ultra-nationalist party in power?
Very admirably, youngsters didn’t seem to react to these tactics of threats and intimidation. The fact is that they just don’t care. Social media is full of examples of youngsters joking, laughing, mocking, singing, and dancing through posters, memes, and slogans. What they are basically saying is that they are not scared. They are saying their future has been sold out, so what have they left to lose? They are saying that they will stand resolutely and fight for their future, no matter the hurdles along the way. They are saying this country needs rescue and redemption, so they are shouldering the responsibility and leadership to achieve that.
It is now unambiguously clear to everyone that the ongoing youth protest is no longer confined to the NEET leaks and the Education Minister’s resignation. It continues to be about those issues, but it has also taken on much broader dimensions that encompass the rottenness of the state of India. This has resonated with the people, breaking the man-made barriers of caste, creed, class, profession, and ideology. The irrefutable, overwhelming, no-holds-barred solidarity and support from across the nation for our youth—who themselves are breaking these barriers—bear testimony to that.
Another aspect of the youth movement is its cocking a snook at ideology and political configurations and narratives. Rahul Verma, a fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, a Delhi-based think tank, told the BBC: “This movement centres on administrative failure… The state’s inability to conduct examinations fairly and prevent paper leaks makes it a very different kind of political challenge to the BJP… That difference changes the politics. Unlike earlier protests rooted in ideology or policy, this one questions the BJP’s ability to govern…”
Youngsters fully understand that life has become “nasty, brutish and short” because they are living such a life now. But this seems to go over the heads of our governments. Youngsters have used humour, sarcasm, and satire to get their point across. Never before has this government had to deal with this language and this entirely new grammar of protest.
For twelve years, this government insensitively conducted a monologue that had nothing to do with the welfare of the country—only with the entrenchment of power and wealth in the hands of one political party and its cronies. Our youngsters are saying, “Enough,” and forcing the government to take note of the power of the people. They are saying that governments are the servants of the people, not the other way around—that the people are the real power of the country. By enabling the people to reclaim their voice, and through the solidarity and support citizens are extending to the youngsters, the public is clearly taking serious note of that. Will this protest sustain? We don’t know, but we can help sustain it by resolutely standing by our youngsters.
Clearly, the youngsters are also cocking a snook at the compromised and sold-out media, and it is doing so right in their face. And why not? NDTV’s report on the daughter of an Assam minister supporting the protest is not news. It is an attempt to shame a young girl and question her right to express her opinion. She may not have used the most parliamentary language on her poster, but by attempting to silence her, the channel has abused its power. Achha, has the BJP mandated that its members and allies ensure their children tow the party line? The compromised and sold-out media have been employing such sinister tactics against opponents of the ruling party and its affiliates on a regular basis, thereby proving themselves to be loyal minions of those in power and undermining the very purpose of the Fourth Estate.
No wonder youngsters ignore the legacy print and television media. When both are disconnected from the concerns of youngsters and have failed to initiate a dialogue with them, youngsters naturally feel alienated. As these youth-led nationwide protests prove, the younger generation has knowledge, interests, and concerns beyond music, movies, fashion, and cricket. They can also read between the lines of government-issued press releases and see through highly publicised, government-mandated, sponsored, and organised programmes for what they really are—propaganda for the ruling parties.
The older generations—parents and grandparents of the protesting youth—have let down our youngsters appallingly by compromising and selling out our integrity for glass beads and glitter. We have allowed fear to silence us, thereby empowering bullies to dictate and determine every aspect of our lives. Youngsters today are saying that this is not going to work on them because India matters to them, and they and this nation are inseparable; therefore, they are claiming their birthright. Their stand opens the scope to rethink, revisit, and recalibrate the country’s current divisive electoral, economic, communal, linguistic, gender, and regional political spectrum and narratives.
This may take time, but the seeds have been sown. Remember, a tree always sheds its old and withered leaves to make way for new ones. That is the law of nature and the rhythm of time.
Monalisa Changkija is a Dimapur-based veteran journalist, poet, and former Proprietor, Publisher, and Editor of Nagaland Page.