Published Jul 22, 2026 | 8:56 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 22, 2026 | 8:56 PM
The protests drew an estimated 500 to 700 participants over the course of the day.
Synopsis: Hundreds of students and activists gathered at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on the fourth day of protests, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister over repeated failures in the conduct of public examinations and expressing solidarity with demonstrations in New Delhi. Participants criticised the Union government and the police response to student protests, and said the agitation would continue until their demands were addressed.
The fourth day of student demonstrations at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on Wednesday, 22 July saw hundreds gather to demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister over repeated failures in the conduct of public examinations and to stand in solidarity with the CJP protests under way in New Delhi.
Slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Vande Mataram” and “Azadi” echoed across the venue.
Led by the Karnataka Rashtra Samithi (KRS) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the protests drew an estimated 500 to 700 participants over the course of the day. Around 35 to 40 people observed a hunger strike as activists, party workers, college students and young professionals continued to pour in as the day wore on.
Slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Vande Mataram” and “Azadi” echoed across the venue as organisers maintained that the movement was “not anti-national” but sought to question systemic failures in India’s education system while providing a platform for students to voice their grievances.
Conversations at the protest ranged from the NEET paper leak to comparisons between the Union government and fascism, as well as concerns over the state of Indian democracy.
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Among those present at the gathering was Meera, a medical aspirant from Arunachal Pradesh who attempted NEET twice and is now pursuing psychology after failing to secure admission through the medical entrance examination.
She said the education system had failed students like her.
Slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Vande Mataram” and “Azadi” echoed across the venue.
“We are not here to spread violence. We are here to demand justice and build a better society, one where education is a right, not a privilege that comes at a cost,” she said.
She also criticised the Modi government’s flagship “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, saying it amounted to “plain talk” and did not reflect the realities faced by students.
Actor Kishore, who played a prominent role in mobilising the gathering, said the turnout was “heartwarming” and reflected the frustration among young people over the current state of affairs.
He said the protesters were prepared to continue their agitation until their demands were addressed in Delhi. He also condemned the forcible removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar, calling it an erosion of democratic values and the right to peaceful protest.
Another speaker, addressing the crowd from inside the protest canopy to loud applause, was sharply critical of the Prime Minister.
“PM Modi is finally speaking after 23 days and thinks we are all foolish, that we cannot think for ourselves, and that only he can command us and we must do as we are told.”
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Away from the main stage, volunteers prepared material for the continuing demonstrations. Some participants painted placards, while others printed copies of the Preamble to the Constitution of India for distribution among protesters.
A protestor holds a printed copy of the Preamble to the Constitution.
Shreyas Jha, an activist overseeing the printing of the Preamble in blue ink, said the initiative was intended as a response to the government’s conduct over the past two weeks.
“The actions of the government over the past two weeks have shown that they do not respect the tenets of the Constitution. There is no justice, liberty, equality or fraternity, and we are printing this to show that the constitutional values are at stake,” he said.
Several students also criticised the Delhi Police’s action against student protesters, alleging that those participating in peaceful demonstrations were being beaten regardless of their age.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
