Protests in London Show Support for Indian Students’ Movement
In London, hundreds of members of the Indian community came together outside the Indian High Commission to support students in India who are protesting a scandal involving the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). These protests have also seen a heavy police response in New Delhi.
The demonstrations took place not just in London, but also in cities like Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Participants called for greater accountability in India’s education system and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Somiha Chatterjee, Secretary of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in the UK, spoke at the event, showing her support for Indian students on hunger strikes. She condemned the police violence directed at protesters.
Ishita, an employee with UNICEF in London, joined the protest to stand with her friends in Delhi. “I have friends who are students, and I recently graduated myself. It doesn’t make sense to say that only students should be involved in this movement,” she commented. She added that while she felt safe in London, her friends in India were risking a lot to stand up for their rights. Ishita hopes that protests like this one will encourage those in India, reminding them they are not alone.
Another participant, a 23-year-old student from New Delhi who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted that this movement is part of larger social justice issues in India, including the struggles of Adivasis, farmers, and the persecution of Muslims.
The protest was organized by the South Asia Solidarity Group, SFI-UK, and the India Workers’ Association (GB), rallying under the slogan “Cockroaches of London Unite, Rise in Protest.”
Demonstrators gathered outside India House, demanding Minister Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET issue. They also expressed support for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and others who are on hunger strikes, advocating for justice and reform in India’s education system.
Slogans like “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Pradhan Istifa Do” filled the air as the crowd called on the Indian government for transparency and accountability in public examinations. Organizers have announced plans for a similar demonstration in Leeds on July 26.
