The ‘lazy’ generation held power accountable

The article analyzes the recent student protests at Jantar Mantar, which led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister, refuting the stereotype of Gen Z as 'lazy' or 'apolitical'. It highlights how the protests, driven by systemic issues like examination paper leaks and administrative opacity, demonstrated a 'direct public accountability' mechanism between elections. The piece discusses the critical role of print media in sustained reporting compared to audiovisual media, draws parallels with student movements in other South Asian countries, and emphasizes the examination system's importance for social mobility and state legitimacy. It concludes by advocating for structural reforms beyond mere personnel changes to address the underlying governance failures.