Political Tension Rises in India Over Student Protest Crackdown and Home Minister's Role

The Indian government is facing intense political pressure following a police crackdown on student protesters in New Delhi, leading to demands for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were sparked by alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down last Saturday.

On Thursday, the Delhi government approved the withdrawal of 13 FIRs registered against protesters involved in a July 20 march to Parliament. This protection does not extend to individuals with criminal antecedents. Similar announcements regarding the dropping of charges were made by BJP-led governments in Bihar and Assam. These moves follow a Supreme Court order directing that no coercive measures be taken against protesting students and that minors without criminal records be released. The court also ordered the preservation of surveillance footage and ammunition logs from the Rapid Action Force.

In Parliament, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of ordering the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against students. During a debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Kharge questioned Shah's absence from the House and stated that "Jan Shakti" would one day drag him out to make him accountable. He further asked if someone had stitched the minister's mouth shut due to his silence on the crackdown.

The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected these allegations, calling Kharge's remarks unparliamentary. Government representatives stated that no bullets were fired and only tear gas was used. They argued that the government has already addressed youth concerns by passing new anti-paper leak legislation and accepting Pradhan's resignation.

Outlets with a center-left or left lean frame the event as a struggle against police brutality and governmental negligence regarding exam leaks. Conversely, outlets with a center-right lean emphasize the unparliamentary nature of the opposition's rhetoric and the government's legislative response to the crisis.