The streets of Prayagraj are buzzing with student-led protests. These students demand reforms in the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) examination process. Thousands of young aspirants have taken to the streets for the 5th day in succession, refusing to budge until their voices are heard.
They chant “Na Batenge, Na Hatenge” – a version of CM Yogi’s famous slogan – to make themselves heard!
They’re not just protesting; they’re asking the Yogi administration to change a system they believe is rigged and indifferent to their future. However, the protest risks being hijacked by the INDI Alliance! Let’s explore!
Prayagraj Student Protest – The Youth Wants To Be Heard!
UPPSC Student Protest Updates: UPPSC के छात्र बोले, 'ना बटेंगे ना हटेंगे' #uppsc #protest #prayagraj #upnews pic.twitter.com/DG5vjyRCEZ
— News18 Uttar Pradesh (@News18UP) November 13, 2024
The Prayagraj Student Protest erupted over UPPSC’s decision to conduct the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) exams in multiple shifts, with a controversial score normalization process. The normalization process caused a lot of furor over the NEET PG exams earlier this year! Hence, these UP students also fear this system and think it may be unfair with a high risk of paper leaks!
The protesting students demand exams in a single shift without any normalization process!
On 14th November 2024, after days of continuous pressure, the government announced that the PCS preliminary exams would revert to the old, one-shift format. They also postponed the RO/ARO exams. CM Yogi’s administration promised to set up a committee to examine the concerns. But the students aren’t biting, they demand immediate fulfillment of their needs! With slogans like “Na batenge na hatenge”, UP students refuse to move or end their protest.
Political Games Begin: Akhilesh and Priyanka Join the Fray
Prayagraj, UP: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "A large number of youth are protesting in Prayagraj. These are the youth who will become officers in the future. This government has pushed even them into the protest" pic.twitter.com/myzOoQotLa
— IANS (@ians_india) November 14, 2024
Seeing an opportunity to gain public sympathy, opposition politicians have flocked to the scene. Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party announced he would join the students, calling it a “battle for justice.”
पारदर्शी और भ्रष्टाचार मुक्त परीक्षा युवाओं का अधिकार है। लेकिन यूपी के भाजपा राज में छात्रों की बात सुनने की जगह उनपर लाठियां बरसाईं गईं। जब छात्र अड़ गए कि 'न बंटेंगे, न हटेंगे' तो अब उन्हें तोड़ने और बरगलाने की कोशिशें की जा रही हैं। आंदोलन कर रहे छात्रों को गिरफ्तार करना,… pic.twitter.com/uSxTuyZWh8
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 14, 2024
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has also been vocal about the concerns of students. Coincidentally, Wayand’s by-elections approach and Priyanka seems to be using the protest as a God-sent opportunity!
With INDI Alliance leaders publicly throwing their weight behind the students, it’s not hard to see the political calculus at play.
The police lathi charge, on Gate 2 and Gate 3 during theintial days of protest, to control the protesting students that had encircled the UPPSC office has only fueled the fire. News of FIR against 11 students for agitating the students into unruly behavior may be a move gift-wrapped for the opposition. The Samajwadi Party and Congress have condemned the police action and the FIR!
Student protest now spreads to Delhi-NCR
Students of mukherjee nagar delhi starts marching in support of protesting students in UP. It should have been controlled by now. #UPPSC #nareshmeena #delhi #UPPSC_ROARO_ONESIFT
pic.twitter.com/McNy9t1wrf— Anshuman Singh (@indiancrusher) November 14, 2024
Additionally, small “sympathy” protests have erupted in Delhi and other INDI Alliance strongholds. It seems that the opposition parties are ready to seize the moment before the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections to defame the BJP government.
Dangerous Parallels: Could This Lead to a Repeat of Bangladesh?
Student activism is an essential component of any democracy. However, there’s a growing fear that political opportunists may be turning these student protests into a tool against the government. There’s a playbook of hijacking protests in the hands of a “Parivaar.”
And the INDI Alliance has a proven track record of using protests to fuel disenchantment among voters. Examples: Farmers Protest, CAA Protests, Wrestlers Protest, etc.
With the recent Bangladesh student protests that led to regime change, Indian opposition parties may use a similar formula to leverage the Voice of the Youth.
Hence, while ensuring their words are heard, the youth leaders must ensure that their demands are not used to destabilize the government. With major INDI Alliance leaders in the mix, the worry is that the genuine grievances of students could be overshadowed by a push to defame Bharat or destabilize Modi and Yogi’s leadership in the state.
Will Prayagraj Student Protest Become An Opposition’s Pawn?
Prayagraj Student Protest is now a delicate situation that could backfire for the students. Firstly, their immediate demands are met. And secondly, promises for further reform are made. Yet, the continuous protest of “all demands to be fulfilled right now” may end up hurting their cause! Hence, the current protests have the potential to be used to undermine the BJP government. Moreover, the legitimate concerns of students could be drowned in the cacophony of political agendas.
With Akhilesh Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi in tow, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this movement might turn into a power play in the broader political game.
The UP government has shown signs of flexibility, meeting some demands. However, the students’ unrelenting stance suggests they fear being let down again. However, if politics continues to infiltrate these protests, the chance for genuine dialogue may vanish. Hence, for now, Prayagraj remains a tense battleground where the future of UP’s students and Bharat’s politics hangs in the balance.