Failure of the state in CJP protest politics

By Nirandas · 25 July 2026

Maintaining law and order is one of the primary responsibilities of any elected government. When a government fails in that duty by not prosecuting those engaged in street violence, it sets a bad precedent.

Today (25th July 2026), the central government led by Narendra Modi has failed in this core responsibility. It has legitimized violent and premeditated protests, telling both its supporters and its detractors that violence pays, and has demoralized security forces — especially the police. Consequences of today's actions will be many and long lasting.

While the core issue used as the central pillar of this orchestrated protest — the NEET paper leak — is valid and needs proper addressing, it was clear from the beginning that the NEET issue only occupies the space of a samosa crust, while the filling is made up of failed politicians, NGO organizations facing FCRA investigations, and the usual woke crowd. While the government has taken a step back and succumbed to street pressure, there are a couple of ways in which they can turn it around if they would do it:

• Do real reforms: Education reforms are difficult because of various considerations like reservation, digital coverage, state vs. centre jurisdiction, and so on. Now that the government has committed to bringing reforms, it is the right time to strike hard and make core changes. It would be very difficult for other parties to create roadblocks. For this, speed matters — the ongoing parliament session should be used to bring in these changes.
• Moral high ground: The BJP can build pressure on state governments where education scams have happened and seek political accountability. If highlighted in the media properly, the message would spread that the parties who wanted Pradhan's blood in fact have many skeletons in their own closets and are not willing to walk the talk.
• Law enforcement: Though the protest has been called off, police can still tighten the screws on violent protesters and charge the antisocial elements who were clearly visible spreading anarchy, with hard provisions. Financial backers, and connections with dubious entities and characters, can be examined and taken forward legally.

To close the article, I would like to highlight a statement made by a professional protester who was involved in these kinds of efforts for long:

"Now parliament will not be making decisions anymore, decisions will be made on the street"

I think it is the duty of all right-thinking citizens (anywhere around the world) to not let this happen to their country. Mobocracy may look shiny and effective, but in the history of the whole known world, there has not been any governance structure led by mobs that has done well. Though they provide, from time to time, a much-needed bitter pill, streets cannot decide what is good for the nation.