The state against its students, lessons to remember

The article analyzes student protests in India, drawing parallels with historical events like the 1876 Indian Association agitation against colonial civil service age limits, the 1976 Soweto uprising, and India's Emergency period. It argues that state suppression and contempt for genuine grievances, as seen in recent NEET-UG protests, are counterproductive. The author outlines three lessons for the state: force organizes rather than disperses grievances, contempt delegitimizes the state, and protests are symptoms of blocked accountability. It emphasizes the need for stronger accountability architecture, institutional independence, and parliamentary scrutiny to address public concerns effectively.