Assamese Youth Face Chaos in Protest for Education Reforms

Protest for Accountability in Education

New Delhi, July 22: Participants from Assam and students from various hostels in Delhi gathered with placards and slogans, hoping to restore accountability in India's examination system.

However, they returned home with injuries, lost belongings, and unsettling memories of a protest that spiraled into chaos.

Many Assamese youth joined the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Sansad Chalo" march, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to alleged NEET paper leaks and examination irregularities. The demonstration turned into an unexpected ordeal.

Security personnel stop a CJP supporter near Jantar Mantar during a protest march, on Monday. (Photo:PTI)

What started as a peaceful demonstration, filled with chants and signs, escalated when police intervened to prevent thousands of protesters from reaching Parliament.

The situation quickly deteriorated, with baton charges and tear gas causing panic among the crowd.

One Assamese student, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted, "I was left speechless. I witnessed people bleeding and being carried away. A stampede broke out when police began striking protesters and threatening us with tear gas."

"I lost my bag, phone, and bank cards, but I’m grateful to have escaped unharmed," the student added, visibly shaken after the incident.

Injured students during the protest in Delhi, on Monday. (Photo:PTI)

Amiya Sinha, another participant who traveled from Assam to support the march, expressed gratitude despite his injuries.

"I was struck on my bones, but I consider myself lucky because I managed to escape before the situation worsened. I saw others who were hit on the head, lying in the crowd, bleeding," he recounted.

Sinha also claimed to have witnessed a police officer pushing a woman with a toddler into a barricade amid the chaos.

Another Assamese participant described the panic that ensued when police allegedly fired tear gas and blocked escape routes.

"We anticipated trouble, but I was unprepared for the reality. Tear gas was fired into the crowd, and all exits were blocked. We were running in circles trying to find a way out," the participant said, also requesting anonymity.

"There were young people, around sixteen or seventeen, being assaulted. It felt like a stone thrown into a beehive. I hope this leads to change. I will continue to show up," they added.

For the Assamese youth who spoke to the media, their journey to Delhi was not about political affiliations.

Some traveled from Assam specifically for the march, while others were already in the capital for their studies.

They participated out of solidarity for students whose futures they believed were at risk due to alleged failures in the examination system.

An injured Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporter during a protest march, at Sansad Marg, in New Delhi. (Photo:PTI)

Despite the traumatic events, none of the participants expressed regret for joining the protest. Instead, they returned with a strengthened belief that persistent public pressure is essential for reform, even as they grappled with the violence they witnessed.

The narratives from the Assamese participants starkly contrast with the official account provided by the Delhi Police.

According to police reports, approximately 60 protesters were injured during the clashes, and over 118 police personnel, including senior officers, were also hurt while trying to manage the situation.

Authorities stated that around 70 protesters were detained after clashes erupted when demonstrators allegedly attempted to march towards Parliament despite existing prohibitory orders.

This protest has sparked a political and legal controversy. The CJP has accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force, a claim that the police have denied.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court declined to hear a petition regarding the alleged excessive use of force by police on an urgent basis, scheduling the matter for a hearing on Wednesday. Police have also filed multiple FIRs related to the violence during the march.

For the Assamese youth, the political ramifications and headlines were secondary to the memories they took home. They joined the march seeking accountability and a fairer education system, but left with injuries, fear, and stories of chaos.

Yet, despite the trauma, their determination remains intact. They believe that the sacrifices made on the streets must lead to significant reforms.

By Nikita Naina Kalita