Student Protests Over Education Policy Spread Nationwide

32 UPDATES · 31 DAYS · 19 JUL 2026 — 18 AUG 2026

DelhiOdishaBJDBiju Janata DALRajnath SinghAkhilesh YadavUttar PradeshJanata DAL

Latest · 18 Aug 2026

Delhi police defended the use of facial recognition and biometric surveillance during protests at Jantar Mantar, claiming it was used to identify criminals.

What this timeline covers

This event covers the nationwide student protests over education policy, including reactions, analyses, and follow-up developments stemming from the initial protests in Vijayapura and Ahmedabad. It excludes other actions by the same people, parties, or regions unless they are direct developments of the student protests and demands for education reforms.

The full story, from the beginning

19Jul

STORY BEGINS — Indian Express

Hundreds of students, civil society members, and political workers gathered outside Shivaji

20Jul

The Hindu

Progressive organizations in Vijayapura rallied to support Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike for student welfare, condemning police action that hospitalized him without consent.

Indian Express

Police detained hundreds of protesters in Ahmedabad in support of Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and education reforms.

Indian Express

Protesters seeking refuge at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib after police intervention sustained injuries during the march, including Devan Rathi and his brother Gaurav.

21Jul

Indian Express

Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, condemned the Delhi police's crackdown on peaceful protests, citing the suppression of dissent as a sign of authoritarianism.

The Hindu

Rahul Gandhi called for the resignation of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah in response to police brutality against protesting students.

Indian Express

Protests in Ahmedabad, inspired by Delhi's Jantar Mantar demonstrations, resulted in arrests and continued until late evening.

NDTV

Congress leaders led a protest overnight outside Prime Minister Modi's residence, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Pradhan and a parliamentary discussion on NEET paper leaks.

Al Jazeera

Following a police crackdown near Parliament Street and Connaught Place, student protesters, including Anshul Dev, continued their demonstrations demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

The Hindu

Hundreds protested in Hyderabad, supporting Sonam Wangchuk and condemning Delhi police's alleged brutality, demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and an inquiry into NEET leaks.

Indian Express

Hanumankind, a renowned Indian rapper, joined the 'Chalo Sansad' protest in New Delhi, supporting students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Indian Express

Student protests in Delhi, sparked by education policy concerns, have escalated into a political challenge, drawing national attention and prompting calls for government accountability.

22Jul

Indian Express

Following protests by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and Congress leaders, union ministers met with Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital.

The Hindu

The INDIA bloc parties, after meeting to support student protests, marched to the Prime Minister's residence, leading to detentions.

Al Jazeera

Rahul Gandhi was released after being detained during student-led protests demanding educational reform and government accountability.

The Hindu

Malayalam actors Vismaya Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran experienced cyberattacks on social media following their public support of anti-government student protests at Jantar Mantar.

Indian Express

Actors Vismaya Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas, and Parvathy Thiruvothu joined director Pa Ranjith in condemning the police crackdown on CJP-led student protesters in New Delhi.

Indian Express

Manoj Jarange-Patil, Raju Shetti, and Mahadev Jankar met protesting students at Jantar Mantar, condemning police action and warning BJP ministers of political repercussions in Maharashtra.

Indian Express

Union ministers engaged in dialogue with protest movement representatives, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape.

The Hindu

Activists and celebrities in Kochi organized solidarity protests with Delhi students protesting the NEET question paper leak.

NDTV

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned police actions during NEET protests, alleging brutality and the use of lathis against students.

Indian Express

Bollywood actors Dulquer Salmaan and Aditi Rao Hydari called for dialogue and compassion to resolve the escalating tensions surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak protests.

23Jul

NDTV

The University of Delhi issued a safety advisory urging students and faculty to avoid unauthorized protests at Jantar Mantar due to the NEET paper leak.

Indian Express

Veteran actor Mammootty urged the government to protect protesting students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

25Jul

Indian Express

Following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as Education Minister, police cleared protest sites in Delhi, including Jantar Mantar, with paramilitary forces.

26Jul

NDTV

Youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding accountability from the government, culminated in Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Indian Express

After a 36-day protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, New Delhi Municipal Council workers painted over protest messages and repaired damage at Jantar Mantar.

The Hindu

AISA Delhi secretary Neha initiated a 23-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, protesting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

27Jul

NDTV

Delhi Police identified 2,873 individuals with criminal records from CCTV footage of protests at Jantar Mantar.

29Jul

NDTV

The Delhi BJP will expand youth engagement efforts following feedback from a Gen Z protest and a student interaction focused on education and national development.

9Aug

The Hindu

Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan received Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approval to address protesters' demands at Jantar Mantar.

18Aug

LATEST UPDATE — NDTV

Delhi police defended the use of facial recognition and biometric surveillance during protests at Jantar Mantar, claiming it was used to identify criminals.

Story concluded