India saw 2024 turns out to be a year of turmoil as protests erupt across statesReflects widespread discontent over serious economic challenges and controversial social policies. The protests, initially sparked by rising unemployment rates and rising inflation, quickly grew into a broader movement, encompassing issues such as education reform, environmental degradation and allegations of curtailment of democratic freedoms.
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Heavy voting was witnessed in major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Workers, students, farmers and activists joined in what is being called one of the largest public mobilizations in recent years.
Here’s an in-depth look at the top 10 protests that made headlines this year.
1. Manipur protests: Caste violence between Meitei and Kuki communities
spark by Dispute over Scheduled Tribe status for Meitei group, violence displaced thousands and claimed many livesThe protesters demanded justice, accountability from the state government and intervention from the Centre. Rallies, blockades and solidarity marches took place across the country, drawing attention to the state’s long-standing ethnic tensions. Manipur is disturbed since February BJP-led government launches eviction drive targeting a specific tribal groupThe campaign led to protests, but not on the scale of the one on May 3, 2023, which began after the Manipur High Court directed the state to carry forward its 10-year-old recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to non-tribals. Had happened. Meitei community.
The first violent protest on 10 March was against the eviction of residents of Kuki village. This led the state government to back out of its suspension of action with two Kuki extremist groups accused of instigating the protesters.
2. Protest against RG tax in Kolkata
On August 9, a 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead, semi-nude, on the fourth floor of a state-run seminar hall. RG Kar Medical College and HospitalMedical examination revealed that the victim suffered external and internal injuries during sexual assault and was murdered. No FIR was registered for 14 hours. students and junior doctors RG Kar Medical College starts massive protest Against inadequate infrastructure, irregular stipends and lack of resources in hospitals. The situation worsened after a large protest march on 27 August ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ under the leadership of Paschim Banga Student Society and Sangrami Joutha ManchTurned violent. Protesters clashed with police across Kolkata and Howrah, breaking barricades and throwing stones, prompting police to respond with tear gas, water cannons and lathicharge.
On December 10, 2024, the Supreme Court was informed that the prosecution expected to complete the examination of all its 51 witnesses in the case.
3. Farmers protest for crop price guarantee
Farm union leaders want more state support or a law-backed guarantee of minimum crop purchase prices. The government announces support prices for more than 20 crops every year to set a benchmark, but state agencies purchase only rice and wheat at the support level, benefiting about 7% of farmers growing those crops. Is. In 2021, when Modi administration repealed agricultural laws India’s longest farmer protest in yearsThe government said it would set up a panel of producers and government officials to find ways to ensure support prices for all produce. Farmers accused the government of being slow in fulfilling its promises. In December, over a thousand farmers gathered around the Delhi-Noida borders for the second time this year in support of their demands for land allotment and increased compensation for land acquired by the government, leading to them breaking barricades.
4. Maharashtra Maratha Reservation Protest
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil and thousands of others launched a protest march from Maharashtra’s Jalna district to Mumbai on January 20 to draw the state government’s attention to the demand for reservation in the community. The protests echoed the dramatic events of 1982 When Congress MLA from Satara Annasaheb Patil challenged his party by demanding reservation on the basis of economic criteria. Annasaheb Patil had issued a serious ultimatum to the Congress-led government, threatening to give up his life if his demands were ignored – a warning which he tragically fulfilled by shooting himself. Similarly, Jarange-Patil has built a reputation as a formidable figure, considered beyond the control of those in power.
He criticized the state government and ministers, citing an “alarming increase” in suicides by Maratha youth. “Maratha youth are sacrificing their lives for the issue of reservation, but the government remains adamant. How can the government be so insensitive and cruel and just watch Maratha youth commit suicide,” he asked.
5. Climate Justice Rally in Ladakh
On March 6, Ladakh’s famous educationist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk starts 21-day hunger strike What he called “climate pounding.” Wangchuk’s plan to fast at Leh’s Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable mountain passes, failed as the local administration reportedly put him under house arrest at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh and was not allowed to proceed further. Refused to give. The strike was in support of thousands of Ladakh residents who are demanding safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to enable them to take decisions regarding the use and management of resources such as land and water. they can’t right now
Wangchuk called off his hunger strike on 26 March; It is currently being continued by women in Leh. If their demands are not met, the youth, monks and elders have said that they will also join the hunger strike in a phased manner.
6. Students protest against NEET irregularities
In June 2024, several student groups started an agitation against alleged irregularities in NEET-UG, PG and UGC-NET at Jantar Mantar despite continuous rain. Protest under the banner of “India vs NTA” Several student organizations, including the Left-backed All India Students Association (AISA) and Delhi University’s Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), have supported it. The demands of the student groups include abolition of the National Testing Agency and resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue. The NEET-UG exam, scheduled to be held on May 5, has been dogged by allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities in states like Bihar. Sixty-seven students scored a perfect 720 marks, unprecedented in the history of the NTA, including the names of six from a center in Faridabad, Haryana, in the list, raising suspicions of irregularities.
Also read: Student organizations protest against NTA, demand removal of Pradhan
7. Deaths at IAS coaching centre: Students protest for justice and accountability
On 27th July, Three students died due to basement floodingWhich was being used as a library by Rau’s IAS study circle. Due to heavy rains, the basement of the building was flooded and many students present in the library were trapped inside. This incident led to massive protests and huge public outcry. It highlights how building regulations and safety measures are implemented Delhi’s coaching centers are violated and ignoredThe students demanded better facilities and remained adamant on keeping the issue non-political. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved the immediate suspension of two Delhi Fire Service officials for alleged dereliction of duty in connection with the deaths.
8. Digital strike of women gig workers on Diwali
India’s first woman-led gig workers union has planned a nationwide digital strike on Diwali. This protest proved to be an important milestone in the fight for labor rights across the country. The participants switched off their phones and refused to work on Diwali, which is traditionally one of the platform companies’ busiest and most profitable days. The protests demonstrated growing solidarity among gig workers who, despite their physical isolation, found a way to unite against exploitative practices and make their voices heard. Behind the convenient facade of app-based services lies a disturbing reality for female gig workers. They face many challenges, such as minimum wages, excessive hours, and hazardous working conditions.
9. Dalit and tribal groups protested against the Supreme Court decision on SC/ST sub-categorization
Coalition groups representing more than 21 Dalit and tribal unions across the country held protest marches and rail and road blockades on August 21 against the Supreme Court’s August 1 decision, demanding that the Center clarify its stand on sub-categorization. , brought a law to “deactivate”. decision, and conduct a caste census to reveal the “real status” of various castes in India.
As the protests continued throughout the day, the central leadership of the major opposition parties – Congress and Samajwadi Party – expressed support for the protests, while maintaining their ambiguity on the main issue of sub-categorization of SC and ST quota. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Azad Samaj Party and parties like Bharat Adivasi Party wholeheartedly opposes sub-categorizationalso supported the protests.
10. Students protest against exam paper leak in Uttar Pradesh
thousands Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) candidates protested Protests were held outside the Commission’s headquarters in Prayagraj on November 11 against the decision to conduct the Review Officer and Assistant Review Officer (RO-ARO) examination and the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) preliminary examination on different dates and in multiple shifts. Protestors demanding the examination be conducted on the same day in a single shift clashed with police when they were prevented from holding the scheduled dharna at gate no. 2 and 3 of the Commission.
Also read: Student protesters call off agitation in UP’s Prayagraj; PCS exam on 22nd December
More than 10 lakh people had applied for the RO/ARO (Preliminary) exam held in February 2024, but it was canceled by the Uttar Pradesh government after the paper leak. After this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed to conduct the examination again within six months and it was announced that the examination will be held in December.
published – December 26, 2024 11:21 am IST
