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‘What Will We Tell Our Grandchildren?’ Jantar Mantar Protest Enters New Phase as Gen Z and Senior Citizens Unite for Education Reforms
What began as a student-led movement against the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has transformed into an inter-generational campaign, with farmers, retired citizens, and youth standing together at Jantar Mantar demanding accountability and reforms in India’s examination system.
Jantar Mantar Protest Grows Beyond Students as Older Generations Join the Movement
New Delhi: The ongoing Jantar Mantar protest over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination-related irregularities has entered a significant new chapter. What started as a movement led by students has now evolved into a broader public campaign, attracting support from senior citizens, farmers, professionals, and people from different walks of life.
As the demonstration entered its seventh week on Friday, the protest site reflected a unique picture of solidarity, with Gen Z students sitting shoulder to shoulder with citizens in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s. The shared message was clear: the future of India’s education system is an issue that concerns every generation.
Senior Citizens Say They Are Fighting for the Next Generation
Among those present was Dev Nath Maurya, a 64-year-old farmer from Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli, who travelled nearly 12 hours with a group of supporters to participate in the protest.
Maurya said he did not travel to Delhi merely for a day’s demonstration but to stand up for the future of the country’s youth. According to him, today’s students will shape tomorrow’s India, and older generations have a responsibility to support them in demanding a fair education system.
Another participant, Ram Avtaar, also in his sixties, expressed concern over reports of increasing student suicides across the country. He said that although he did not receive extensive formal education himself, he understands the importance of education and believes that no young person should lose hope because of failures in the examination system.
Why Are the Protesters Demonstrating?
The protest began in early June under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) along with several student organisations.
The protesters are demanding:
Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan- A transparent investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak
- Action over concerns regarding CBSE’s on-screen marking process
- Comprehensive reforms to improve the transparency and credibility of public examinations across India
The movement gained nationwide attention after education activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the agitation through an indefinite hunger strike on June 28. Public interest further intensified following clashes between protesters and police on July 20, bringing the issue into the national spotlight.
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Veterans of Earlier Public Movements See Familiar Signs
The protest has also attracted individuals who participated in some of India’s landmark public movements.
Om Prasad, a 58-year-old resident of Madhya Pradesh, compared the present agitation to historic protests such as the Mandal Commission movement and the India Against Corruption campaign.
He believes that ensuring a transparent education system is just as significant because the careers and aspirations of millions of young Indians depend on it.
Farmers and Civil Society Extend Their Support
Support has not remained limited to students and retired citizens. Members associated with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Khosa) were also seen participating in the demonstrations, reflecting the growing social support behind the campaign.
The participation of farmers highlights how concerns over education are increasingly being viewed as a national issue rather than one affecting only students preparing for competitive examinations.
Young Protesters Welcome Cross-Generational Solidarity
For many young participants, the presence of older generations has strengthened the movement both emotionally and symbolically.
Hardik, a 21-year-old student, said watching elderly women in their sixties and seventies actively participate in discussions and protests was inspiring. He described it as one of the rare moments after the COVID-19 pandemic when people from different generations and backgrounds united for a common national cause.
Meanwhile, Milind Chhabra, an FTII graduate, observed that the protest has created an unusual but meaningful partnership between generations. He noted that while Gen Z communicates through digital platforms and internet culture, many senior citizens belong to a generation shaped by traditional street protests and public movements.
According to him, this combination of youthful energy and experienced voices has given the agitation greater depth and wider public appeal.
A Student Protest Becoming a National Conversation
As the demonstration enters its second month, the movement appears to be evolving beyond a campus-driven protest into a larger debate on education reforms, transparency, accountability, and trust in India’s examination system.
Whether the government responds with policy changes remains to be seen, but the growing participation of citizens across age groups has transformed the protest into a symbol of collective concern for the future of education in the country.
