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South Asia youth protests spread, often fueled by education fallout
In India, protests over medical school paper leaks and canceled exams triggered police tear gas and batons, highlighting how unrest is tied to political and economic systems.
South China Morning Post examines how Gen Z and youth-led protests have spread across South Asia, with recent demonstrations in New Delhi occurring after thousands of young people marched toward Parliament and were met with tear gas and batons from police.
In India, the unrest traced back to paper leaks that led to the cancellation of the national examinations for admission to medical schools, and the article notes that fears had “switched sides” since Narendra Modi took office in 2014, according to a journalist cited in the piece.
The report says the common thread across the region is largely leaderless, horizontal protest movements that emerge organically from youth anger over political and economic systems and rely on existing networks such as unions, student federations, and activist groups for on-the-ground organization.
While these movements can drive major outcomes, the outlet argues they often lack grassroots political structures to convert street energy into electoral success, citing Bangladesh as an example where a youth movement toppled Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government and later saw the return of the political establishment when elections returned a Bangladesh Nationalist Party win led by Tarique Rahman.