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.

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 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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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)