Although the exact quote shown in this image is somewhat doubtful but it does accurately reflects the philosophy Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) expressed repeatedly during the 1950s and 1970s, when Singapore faced a powerful communist movement backed by trade unions and student groups, frequent strikes, protests and political unrest and genuine fears that foreign investors would avoid the country.

Singapore had just become independent and possessed almost no natural resources. Lee Kuan Yew believed its survival depended on political stability, the rule of law, attracting both domestic and foreign investment, preventing extremist groups from using labour unions and student movements to destabilize the country, and creating jobs through industrialization rather than ideological politics. He was openly anti-communist and consistently argued that if investors lost confidence, Singapore would fail economically.

So how does this apply to India today?

Today, India is facing lot of protests and some are becoming increasingly violent and is not necessary for a genuine cause. Regardless of political ideology, most economists agree on a few basic principles:

1. Sustained political violence, riots and prolonged unrest discourage investment.

2. Stable laws and predictable governance encourage businesses to invest.

3. Investment creates industries, industries create jobs, and jobs raise living standards.

4. Excessive ideological conflict can distract a nation from economic development.

Of course, India is not Singapore. Singapore is a city-state of about 6 million people, while India is a vast federal democracy of over 1.4 billion people with constitutional protections for free speech and peaceful protest. Peaceful dissent is an essential pillar of democracy and must always be protected.

However, there is an equally important distinction between peaceful protest and violence, vandalism, destruction of public property or prolonged unrest.

History repeatedly shows that such instability damages investor confidence, disrupts businesses, slows economic activity and ultimately hurts ordinary citizens the most. For a developing country like India, sustained investment—including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)—remains an important driver of economic growth, technology transfer and employment. It is also worth recognizing that not every episode of unrest is necessarily driven solely by genuine public dissatisfaction. Throughout history, rival nations have used propaganda, information campaigns, funding networks and other forms of influence to weaken competitors and slow their rise. India, as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, cannot assume it is immune to such attempts from our rival countries. That does not mean every protest in India is foreign-sponsored, but it does mean we should remain vigilant against efforts by external actors such as China or even US to exploit existing divisions for their own strategic interests.

Ultimately, every Indian should ask a simple question: Does unnecessary unrest make our nation stronger or weaker?

If you live in a country, its prosperity benefits you, your family and future generations. Economic growth, investment and job creation flourish in an environment of stability, strong institutions and respect for the rule of law. Democracies should protect peaceful dissent while ensuring that violence and prolonged disorder do not undermine the very prosperity that citizens seek.

The enduring lesson from Lee Kuan Yew's philosophy is simple: economic growth requires political stability, strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, and an environment where businesses have the confidence to invest and create jobs.

Strong economies are built by debate, discipline and development—not by perpetual disruption.

I asked my mom about what is her opinion on protest and guess what she said it is done by anti national elements Sonam sir is anti national they are doing it so foreign funding doesn't stop and shut like that and I just so happened to unlock her mobile and there was a reel playing in which a guy on Factbook explained why bjp is gonna save the earth from the fcking mughals (wtf) and why Sonam sir is anti national and why India is better than China.... bro what tf do I do she doesn't listen to me it's like she have lost all the reasoning capacity

Peaceful protest is a constitutional right and an essential part of democracy. But the moment a demonstration turns violent, the consequences become deeply unequal.

Students from wealthy or politically connected families often have the resources to navigate legal trouble. For a middle-class student, however, even being named in a mass FIR can be life changing. A pending criminal case can derail opportunities in the armed forces, civil services, banking, and other government jobs, careers that often represent their family's best hope for upward mobility.

When violence breaks out, the legal process rarely distinguishes between those who participated and those who were simply present. Court cases can drag on for years, while recruitment processes move on without waiting.

Violent protests often attract serious provisions such as:

• Section 163 BNSS – violation of prohibitory orders.
• BNS offences relating to assault or obstruction of public servants and damage to public property.
• Section 193 BNSS – filing of the police chargesheet, after which the criminal case formally proceeds.

While every recruitment has its own verification rules, a pending criminal case or chargesheet can delay or adversely affect police verification, document verification, and selection for many government and defence services(I am myself one) until the matter is resolved.

Standing away from a violent protest is not a surrender of one's principles. It is a recognition that protecting your future, and the sacrifices your family has made for it, is sometimes the wisest form of courage.

Back when Congress or other parties were ruling, protests were a norm.

In fact, party works burnt buses and literally rioted.

Now any protest against BJP is seen as a sign of uncivilized behaviour, at the very least and an act of terror, at worst.

How have we reached this place where even moderates are questioning the right to protest?

I want to preface this by saying I am not a supporter of the ruling party, and I disagree with plenty of their policies. However, on this specific issue, I completely agree with the response from the state and the Delhi Police.

When an active parliamentary session is underway, law enforcement cannot and should not allow a mass of protesters to march directly to the Parliament—regardless of who they are or how valid their grievances might be.

Here is why the police reaction was fully justified:

1. It Transgressed the Line of a "Peaceful Protest"

Let’s be honest about what happened. This was no longer a standard, peaceful student gathering:

Protesters actively forced their way through and broke down multi-layered police barricades.

The administration repeatedly requested that the demonstration stay within designated, permitted protest zones, but the crowd refused to comply.

Countless videos clearly show officers warning the crowd not to march toward high-security zones, yet the crowd pushed forward anyway.

1. Parliament Belongs to the Nation, Not a Mob

A nation’s Parliament isn't just a physical building; it is a symbolic representation of the sovereign will of the people, democracy, and the foundation of the Indian republic.

Allowing an agitated crowd to breach the perimeter of an active legislature sets a dangerous precedent.

Global Examples speak volumes: Look at what happened at the U.S. Capitol in 2021, or the recent state collapses in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. When a crowd storms state institutions, they unleash chaos—and once that line is crossed, it spirals beyond anyone's control.

1. Shift from Student Protests to Political Campaigns

It was clear from the crowd dynamics that a significant portion of the demonstrators were no longer just students fighting for academic or institutional reforms. The movement was co-opted, turning into an aggressive political campaign driven by fringe actors and political elements.

Bottom Line: While the right to dissent is fundamental, no government can tolerate a direct security threat to the seat of its democracy. When a protest turns into an unpermitted surge toward high-security zones, law enforcement has a constitutional duty to draw the line.

1. I also believe that Pradhan should resign, yes. But I do believe he has taken enough accountability at this point. They had a whole press conference. The NTA chief was sacked, and they did say that the leaks and problems were fixed. So why the whole resignation thing? See, yes, people are angry, but I think you just can't march on the Parliament, and I guess they deserved it.

(I would appreciate everyone's opinion as it opens my perspective)

I remember the first time I was shaken awake by the state machinery as a kid. I was 12-13 years old, and had gotten my passport made. Went to the police station for verification (ideally they are supposed to visit home), and the dalla straight up asked me for bribe of 1K. Remember I was only 12 years old or so, and came from a poor family, who applied for the passport just because I had performed extremely well in a national level exam and was in the finals that were to be held abroad. The verification didn't happen on time because of it, and I lost the chance to represent India That was the day I lost my innocence and was introduced to the state's atrocities, and realized that India's government and bureacracy is not for the citizens, but for the politicians, and the rich to control, extort and exploit common people.

When I see the videos that are being put up online, and many of the interviews where young kids are in front of the mic, they seem just so shocked as well that the state and the government would do this to them, be violent for demanding their rights. It is like a wake-up to the realities that, unfortunately, a lot of young Indians are not exposed to, given that many, especially the middle class, live a sheltered life until they are 22 or 24, when they go out to work for the first time.

What was "that" moment for you? And how did it change you?

The NEET movement hasn't recd timely responses from Authorities. Will this lead to remarks against the 3rd pillar of Democracy?

Shouldn't the Judiciary come in suo moto as the 4th pillar (Media) literally doesn't exist anymore in India.

Here is my opinion regarding reservation not on the ongoing protest for that it's simple that D. Pradhan should resign no questions asked

But i just thought if there is reservation in preliminary education like admission in schools or undergrad competitive exams or Civil services exam it's ok reservation is for uplifting and equal opportunity till here it's fine

But then why there is reservation for PG exams , when there is reservation in jobs although not only till jobs but even in promotions in jobs

Isn't it too much like this doesn't seem uplifting or fair from any angle

I am not against any individual or community but when we talk about fair system this is also a big problem in that

P.S - Pls keep the replies respectful and your opinions don't get personal or abusive

Thank you

The best solution is not to do protests for resignations.

But, there should be a very big protest with the demand to overhaul the punishment system- govt officials,police , ias, politicians if found guilty or caugh for something they should be fired and barred for any other govt job

a politician can't fight elections again.

Should apply for judges as well

Basically there shouldn't be a position for which the scope of firing the person isn't available. No space for transfers or suspensions

Then stricter punishments for basic humanitarian things like pollution, littering, bribery, helmets, crimes, food adulteration

I believe this is the only way your country can be redeemed because if you think you will change the govt in power, others are also equally corrupted because they know theynare safe

Given the current state of the country, it makes me think that we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. My political stance is quite centrist so I criticise both the sides equally.

The education minister should absolutely resign. People can also point out the specific policies that they are against. But instead they’re just slandering the current pm. I would like to ask these people who exactly do they think will replace the current govt? The nepo cry baby who is the crown prince of congress who wants to sell out the govt by religion based reservation smh!? He is such a man child and I would never vote for him.

That being said I’m not blind towards the lapses in freedom of speech that has occurred. As an artist I find it really very demeaning to reduce people’s voices. To slander any criticism and call it anti national is not the ideals that this country was based upon. However to pretend that blind radicalisation of youth isn’t happening is also misguided. There’s a reason why European countries are turning the tide on certain immigrants from the Middle East. It’s because their cultural norms are regressive and not conducive to democracy. Most Hindu voters are stuck with voting for Modi because say what you must, his foreign policy is one of his strongest suits. He just doesn’t miss.

But I also fee that the correct government has smelled this hopelessness in the general public and instead of doubling down on progress, they have served their own political agenda more than anything. It may sound blunt but this is the dilemma most moderate voters face. We don’t want gundaaraaj and we don’t want a failed nepotism baby and we also don’t want a fundamentalist regressive state.

I think long and hard about this often and I have no clear solution that comes to my mind, just a deep sadness for the extent of systemic rot in our state.

And her parents are still fighting for Justice for their daughter ! #JusticeForYogita ✊🏽

This is UNACCEPTABLE ! 😡😰😢

The girl must get justice.

We need to make sure the perverted police is seriously punished by law.

Make him infamous and build public awareness and pressure to ensure justice.

I have been seeing a lot about the Delhi incident recently in so many instagram stories . I am quiet busy with so many works so I don’t know much about it , but the thing that I noticed was Congress (rahul gandhi, ramesh Chennithala etc) showed support to them and said Prime minister along with some other minister has to resign . So a thought came into my mind - what after they resign? I am not a BJP supporter or I don’t have a party that I specifically support. But I think what BJP has been doing for a couple of years are pretty evident. The most irritating one for me was the ethanol blend . So if BJP or these Ministers resign I don’t think Congress is the solution for us . They don’t have a strong opposition power as BJP and there are not much options for us to choose as a national party .However i appreciate modi for most of his international contributions . Can Congress do better than them ? Or are we doomed?

NB: i didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s political partyor beliefs , I just had this thought in my mind and wanted to know an answer

What can we expect, when the people who are supposed to protect, are the exactly ones who commit crimes ?

Jisne bhi protest mai hissa liya aur unke saath jo brutality uniform mai aaye hue bjp ke talve chaat kr apna ghar chalane vlo ne ki, hum sbne sb dekh liya yeh bhi pta lg gya hai ki iss country mai citizens ki jaan ki koi value nhi hai toh please lets just change the way we protest against this dictatorship so that each and every person who were not able to participate can do it without indulging with any other political parties, anti nationals and opportunists. Hum jis desh mai kutto ki tarah kaam krke yha ke politicians, industrialists, celebrities aur sportsman ko ameer bna rhe hai lets just stop doing it. 1 hafta bs ek hafta sb kuch band krdo don't do anything at all!!!!! Kaam pr mt jao, ambani,tata,birla jaisi companies ka kuch bhi samaan mt lo ek hafta bs, kisi bhi celebrity ki koi bhi movie, project kuch bhi mt dekho, don't watch any News channel at all for a week, jo bhi government employees chhote se chhote pad ho yaa fir bda se bda agar aap changes chahte ho toh ek hafta ghar baitho, jb iss desh ko chla hum rhe hai toh yeh bhi hum hi decide krenge ki konsi sarkar humko lead kregi naa ki rule karegi. Apni jaan daav pr lagakr kuch nhi hoga inn politicians aur unke talve chatne uniform vlo ki ego satisfy hogi. Let's just do nothing at all. I agree isse hum logo ko bhi bahut problems aayengi pr bs ek hafta krke batate hai modi ko ki vo iss country kaa landlord aur hum tenants nhi hai.

I'm honestly confused.

From what I understood, this movement started over the NEET controversy and demands for accountability, including calls for the Education Minister's resignation. But over the past few weeks, it feels like the discussion has become much more political. I've seen people arguing over political parties, religion, and ideologies instead of focusing on the education system itself.

Then there are so many conflicting narratives about Sonam Wangchuk. I've always known him for his work in education, innovation, and Ladakh, so I've generally had a positive impression of him. But now I'm seeing people call him an opportunist, while others say he's one of the few people genuinely standing up for students.

Today's protests also seem to have ended with both protesters and police personnel getting injured, which only makes the whole situation feel even more chaotic.

So I'm asking this in good faith: What actually happened? Has the movement changed from a student-led protest into something broader, or is social media just amplifying different agendas? I'm not looking for political talking points—I genuinely want to understand what's going on from people who have been following this closely.

How can you guys claim to support a meritocracy and still believe in reservation? Doesnt that invalidate the entire premise of a it?? How can someone who scores 500 in neet get the same college as someone who scored 690?
Dharmendra Pradhan needs to be held accountable for the NEET leak, I’m not against that, but I have an issue with the other agendas they’re pushing alongside it. People are chanting Jai Bheem at the protests, what does that have to do with anything????
If CJP actually cares about the students and want to create a meritocracy then shouldn’t they be against reservation?

Disclaimer: This post was framed with the help of ChatGPT to make it easier to read. The views shared are 100% my friend's opinions, not ChatGPT's or necessarily mine.

A friend of mine (who is also a Reddit user and a hardcore BJP supporter) has a very different opinion from what she's been seeing on Reddit regarding the recent student protests in Delhi. These are her views, not necessarily mine, and I'm posting them to understand how others see the situation.

Her perspective is:

1. She believes the protest should have been held at Jantar Mantar because, according to her, permission was not granted to protest near Parliament. She feels that attempting to march toward Parliament despite that was a mistake.
2. She thinks that once the police stopped the march and clashes began, the responsibility did not lie solely with the Delhi Police or the government. In her view, if some protesters threw stones before the lathi-charge, the police response was a consequence of the situation.
3. She supports the resignation of the Education Minister but does not support the CJP. She believes the organization has political motives and is concerned about its influence. She also worries that student protests could be used for broader political purposes.
4. She does not support Sonam Sir because he participated in protests alongside CJP, which makes her question his neutrality.
5. She was particularly upset by reports that slogans insulting the RSS and Brahmins were raised during the protests. As an RSS member, she feels personally targeted by such slogans.
6. Although she uses Reddit herself, she feels that many Reddit discussions on Indian politics are strongly anti-BJP and left-leaning. She also feels some discussions contain misogynistic comments. Because of this, she tends to trust Indian news channels more than Reddit discussions.

I'm posting this because I'm curious to hear how people with different political views respond to her perspective. Please keep the discussion civil and explain your reasoning if you disagree.

TL;DR: My hardcore BJP-supporting friend believes the police largely acted within their role, supports the Education Minister's resignation but not CJP, distrusts Reddit's political discourse, and wants to know whether her reasoning holds up. Looking for respectful counterarguments or agreement.