India - July 2026

A student-led protest movement began in June and continued for several weeks, eventually marking one of India’s largest protests in recent years. The protests reached a critical point on 20 July, when tens of thousands of youth-led protesters marched towards Parliament in New Delhi, demanding accountability for a leak of national examination papers and related concerns over unemployment and corruption. The largely peaceful demonstrations were met with a heavy security response, with police reportedly using tear gas, batons and firing metallic pellets while authorities also restricted internet and metro services. More than 400 protesters and police officers were injured, according to the Delhi Police. Rights groups alleged excessive use of force, while authorities said the force was proportionate and only used after protesters breached barricades, attacked officers and damaged property. On 25 July, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, meeting a central protest demand. The government also promised examination reforms, the withdrawal of cases against protesters and other measures. 

Update: On 18 August, the Supreme Court established an independent committee to examine whether excessive force was used during the protests. The inquiry remains ongoing.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, The Hindu