Social Protests : Spontaneous Response But Control Getting Haywire

by Alok K. Shrivastava, IAS (R)Oct 16, 2026Blogs0 comments

Normally a social protest or movement is organised by mobilising collective efforts of people to achieve some change in society.

In the past, many of such movements have been launched all over the world but not all of them could succeed in achieving their desired aims and objectives. Circumstances may have differed from place to place. A few of them slowed down or lost their tempo due to external factors.

PAST SCENARIO

Many social reform movements, such as, those led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule, E.V.R. Periyar (Dravida Kazhagam fame) and B.R.Ambedkar can be considered successful, so were Non co operation, Civil disobedience and Quit India movements spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi. A few environment focused movements led by Chandi Prasad Bhat, S.L.Bahuguna and Medha Patkar too made their mark. Student led protests also succeeded in Gujarat, Bihar & U.P. Last one not only impacted whole country but also overthrew the then Central Government.

PRESENT TURN AROUND

Against such background if one looks at July 2026 Jantar Mantar 1.0 and its second version going on now, scenario is changing swiftly, rather rapidly. It has happened because people in general and youth in particular are getting fed up of listening to repetitive mantras, unconvincing assurances and narratives, time and again. Ruling polity has to realise that youth of the country have understood the actual reality and taken note of adverse impact of mobilisation of armed forces in Pakistan (anti Pervez Musharraf & pro- Imran Khan tirade), Sri Lanka (protests against Rajapaksa family), Bangladesh (anti Hasina protests) and Nepal (stir against K.P.Sharma Oli) or more recently in France (in regard to budget cuts in schools).

Youth in almost all urban centres are also getting united to fight against the ills being inflicted, more recently, denial of right to vote under the garb of hurried Special Intensive Revision (S.I.R.) in five to six states. After all, denial of this right to 13 crore voters has been unprecedented. And to add insult to injuries, large number of appeals against deletions are pending in West Bengal.

TOO MANY RESTRICTIONS

Even after a setback on the issue of NEET and subsequent resignation of a Cabinet Minister, lessons are not being learnt. Instead, an unprecedented and unthinkable act of a raid inside a civilian plane took place which panicked regular passengers.

Unwanted barricades, including with nails, on main roads, deployment of 35,000 CPMF personnel, closure of 50 metro stations and stoppage of 245 trains were resorted to.Internet jammers added to the woes of the common man. In all, 7000 persons were detained on the first day and it seems to have become a daily ritual.Many of them upon being thrashed, are not given even water for hours, what to talk of access to family. Despite so many restrictions and impediments, people who want to be there, make it.

INHUMAN SCENES

Scenes of chasing, beating, dragging even girls, tearing off their clothes, forcible throwing of protestors into the buses and beating the detainees inside buses are becoming common.

Agitated by such acts of cops, who can not be identified, youth too do not relent so easily. Breaking of window panes and jumping from running buses keeps happening. In the event of a casualty, who will be responsible ?

HIDING OF IDENTITY

Hiding of identity of Police personnel is totally uncalled for. It is leading to suspicion that non- policemen are co-opting for regular cops. Such persons have been found wearing sports shoes while weilding non prescribed batons.

Enough video evidence is being gathered on a daily basis.

ROLE OF SUPREME COURT

Ball is now before the Supreme Court. Putting up an united front and then marching to Supreme Court to file a petition has sent a different signal in such uncertain times. Led by Rahul Gandhi of Congress, it had senior representatives from S.P., T.M.C., R.J.D, C.P.M, C.P.I, N.C.P. (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), J.M.M. etc. The Chief Justice, in his own wisdom declined to meet them, as issues raised by them according to him, are already sub-judice.

Earlier young lawyers of Supreme Court too were mistreated by Police during their demonstration organised against S.I.R.and actions of C.E.C.

Since 2012, legal fraternity was maintaining silence over the issues of public interest. Now that they have broken silence, a different reality should emerge. Confrontations between President of Supreme Court Bar Association and vocal advocates, such as, Balraj Malik and Mahmud Pracha are also being witnessed in open.

REACTION OF POLITICAL LEADERS

Presence of four former Chief Ministers has given the needed boost to the ongoing movement.

PINARAYI VIJAYAN, former Kerala C.M. has expressed the view that Delhi was witnessing Modi Government’s ruthless crackdown on democracy. It could extinguish resolve to defend right to vote.

MOHUA MOITRA, M.P. is furious in saying that Police is unleashing brutality on peaceful women protestors. In her opinion, illegal orders can not save any one from prosecution.

MAMTA BANERJEE, while supporting CJP and all party movements, has come out with a parody of a popular Nursery rhyme in the following way :

Johny, Johny, Yes Papa

S.I.R., No Papa

Save Democracy, Yes Papa

Gyanesh, No Papa

B.J.P. Govt., No Papa

VIEW OF UNHRC

U.N. Human Rights Commission, while expressing serious concern over mass actions against the civil society members, lawyers & jounalists, has called for their unconditional release.It has stressed respect and fulfilling the right to peaceful assembly. Engaging in meaningful diologue was also called for.

Central government’s reaction states that concern of UNHRC being misplaced, constituted an unwarranted interference in India ‘s internal affairs.

TO SUM UP

All said and done, inconvenience is caused to people at large when agitations or political show downs happen.

Pros and cons of such outbursts need to be analysed impartially and suitable corrective measures need to be taken.Of course, there can not be any compromise on the basic right to vote.

If Youth, especially highly educated and aware ones are so concerned about bringing changes in society, they should also attempt to carry out sustained mobilisations against one or two of the following :

• Pathetic state of school education,

• Healthcare Accessibility,

• Endemic corruption & bureaucratic slow downs,

• Environmental pollution and Digital Frauds.

Let us be fully conscious of our rights, duties, constitutional values and provisions.However, state too has to ensure Neutrality, Not Brutality. Border duty forces can not be put on Internal Security duty.