By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
There is an old axiom that says, “Nothing is permanent.” This time-tested adage appears to hold true for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), given its current predicament following the students’ protests against alleged irregularities in the education system at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. In simple terms, the party that came to power more than a decade ago by criticizing the previous government’s misrule, poor governance, and lack of accountability is now itself facing accusations of unaccountability.
As things stand, many political observers, both within India and abroad, believe that the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar may mark the beginning of a decline in the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A chain of events has shaken the Indian capital, with thousands of young people joining the movement with remarkable enthusiasm. The outrage witnessed on the streets of Delhi now appears to be spreading to other parts of the country. Thousands of students, irrespective of caste, gender, creed, religion, or geographical background, have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They have endured police action, including tear gas, lathi charges, and physical assaults, yet remain resolute in their demands.
What began as a relatively low-key youth protest led by the online satire platform Cockroach Janata Party, demanding the education minister’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the education system, quickly grew into a nationwide movement. Soon, several prominent personalities, including education reformer and social activist Sonam Wangchuk, joined the campaign. As a show of solidarity with the students, Wangchuk undertook a hunger strike demanding the minister’s resignation. He ended his fast on the 26th day after the government reportedly agreed to halt its crackdown on students protesting peacefully.
The movement reached its peak when the protesters announced a Chalo Sansad (“March to Parliament”) rally on July 20, 2026. Thousands of young protesters gathered early in the morning and attempted to march toward Parliament. Security forces, however, blocked the procession. Images of police using lathi charges, tear gas, and force against protesters spread rapidly across social media, attracting widespread criticism. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was also seen being forcibly detained during the protest. The incident prompted many to question whether the police response was proportionate to what they viewed as a peaceful demonstration.
The protests suggest that a significant section of Indian society is dissatisfied with the BJP government’s approach and style of governance. This does not bode well for a party that has remained in power since 2014.
The BJP came to power under Narendra Modi in 2014 on promises of fighting corruption, ensuring accountability, and improving governance. During its early years, the government earned praise for launching several welfare-oriented initiatives that benefited large sections of society, particularly in rural areas. However, critics argue that there has often been a gap between policy formulation and effective implementation.
Critics also contend that many government policies have favored large industrial interests while paying comparatively less attention to farmers and other vulnerable groups. It was for this reason that the opposition coined the phrase “suit-boot ki sarkar” (“government of the rich”) to describe the BJP administration.
History has shown that democratically elected leaders can gradually become increasingly authoritarian when backed by overwhelming parliamentary majorities. Critics argue that this tendency is becoming evident in India today. Buoyed by more than a decade of electoral success and repeated victories over the opposition, the BJP appears increasingly confident, if not complacent. Excessive confidence, however, can lead to poor judgment and political decline.
The Modi government has demonstrated considerable political skill in reading public sentiment and responding strategically. This ability has been one of the BJP’s greatest strengths since 2014. Yet the ongoing youth protests at Jantar Mantar suggest that this advantage may now be under increasing strain.
Prime Minister Modi has remained one of India’s most popular political leaders, and under his leadership the BJP has achieved unprecedented electoral dominance. Nevertheless, the party has now spent more than a decade in office. Long incumbencies often generate public fatigue, growing expectations, and increasing dissatisfaction. No ruling party is entirely immune to these political realities.
Domestically, Modi has successfully projected himself as a decisive national leader and a key architect of modern India’s development. His communication skills and political messaging have enabled him to connect effectively with large sections of the electorate. At the same time, some political observers believe that his political dominance may gradually be weakening. They point to the most recent general election, in which the BJP suffered setbacks in several constituencies and Modi himself secured a reduced margin of victory in Varanasi compared with previous elections.
At present, many young people involved in the protests feel alienated from the political process and are demanding greater accountability. The Modi government would be well advised not to dismiss the movement merely as manufactured outrage or a politically orchestrated campaign.
The present situation suggests that the BJP may have become overly confident after years of political success, believing itself largely insulated from public discontent. Yet in any functioning democracy, governments are ultimately expected to remain accountable and transparent.
Following sustained nationwide protests, the government eventually accepted one of the movement’s principal demands by securing the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, handing a symbolic victory to the protesters. More importantly, the movement demonstrated that sustained and peaceful public protests can compel even a powerful government to respond. The Modi administration would do well to recognize that this is not merely a student movement but a broader expression of public discontent.
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