Indian Communists hail historic student-youth victory

Indian students and youth celebrate their historic victory -- image via video screenshot

Historic Victory for the Student-Youth Movement: CPI

The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued the following statement today (July 25, 2026):

The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan marks a historic victory for the students and youth of India. It is a rare moment of democratic accountability, achieved not through the goodwill of an arrogant government, but through the sustained and determined struggle of students and youth across the country. The student movement has defeated the arrogance of the BJP and compelled the Modi-Shah government to answer for its failures.

In its attempt to shield the then Education Minister from public accountability, the government resorted to repression against peaceful protesters. Students were subjected to lathi charges, tear gas and other coercive measures. Despite this, they displayed remarkable courage and resilience, refusing to be intimidated and continuing their struggle with determination. The CPI reiterates its demand for the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs and other cases registered against the protesting students and youth, as well as an unconditional apology from the government for unleashing violence on peaceful demonstrators.

The education sector has been pushed into a deep crisis by years of paper leaks, reckless privatisation, excessive centralisation and the systematic weakening of public education. The government’s repeated failures have severely undermined the confidence of students and their families. Even the tragic loss of young lives associated with the failures of the examination system did not evoke a responsible response from the government. It ultimately took sustained nationwide protests to secure accountability. The CPI also demands adequate compensation and justice for the families who lost their children as a consequence of the NEET paper leak and the grave failures of the examination system.

The CPI extends its heartfelt congratulations to the students and youth who organised, mobilised and fought this battle with courage, unity and perseverance. This victory belongs to them and to all democratic forces that stood in solidarity with their struggle.

While the resignation of the Minister marks an important achievement, the struggle for a just and democratic education system is far from over. The CPI reaffirms its commitment to continue fighting alongside students, youth, teachers and all democratic sections of society for an accessible, affordable, inclusive and high quality public education system, free from commercialisation and discrimination, that serves the aspirations of India’s youth and the needs of the nation.

July 25, 2026

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

Congratulations

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) congratulates the students and youth of the country for fighting for accountability over paper leaks that led to the unfortunate suicides of 22 students.

This victory would not have been possible but for the steadfast resolve displayed and sacrifices made by the student and youth of the country supported by various sections of the people, who refused to relent even in the face of lathis and other repressive measures used by the administration under directions from the Union Government. The courage and determination shown by the youngsters augers well for Indian democracy.

While we welcome the stepping down of the Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, this should be followed by the disbanding of the National Testing Agency that is primarily responsible for the repeated paper leaks. The CPI(M) would like to reiterate its demand for decentralisation of the exams. The National Education Policy, 2020, that has commercialisation, centralisation and communalisation as its core should also be scrapped.

Unless these measures are taken, the same saga of paper leaks and deprivations will continue. We are hopeful that students and youth movements will campaign and agitate on these demands that have a bearing on their future.