Student-led movements have a romantic aura about them; a starry idealism that is hard to resist, an enthusiasm that is infectious and a naive morality that appears beyond reproach. It is an unvarnished expression of prevailing public sentiments. The dharna organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest the NEET exam paper leak, at the outset appears to embody all of the above. Before we wholeheartedly embrace this movement or put a stamp of validity on it, we need to understand the outcome of student-led movements in general, analyse the specific demands put forth by the CJP in particular and deliberate on its strategy so far.

The outcome of student agitations across the world is a mixed bag with some short-term gains but questionable long-term benefit. The disruptive modus operandi adopted by Gen Z can also prove to be counterproductive. The fall of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh triggered by student protests pushed that country into a state of near anarchy: it saw the rise of communal forces that brutally targeted the minority Hindus and the country as a whole tottered precariously for nearly 2 years until a democratically elected government assumed power. In Nepal, the jury is still out on the Gen Z-led regime change: unable to fulfil its campaign promises the current government led by a 35-year-old rapper has itself become the focus of fresh student protests. An article in the Foreign Affairs magazine, had this to say about youth unrests: "lack clear strategies for transforming protest demands into legislative priorities, finding ways to enter government and manage governance, and exercising leadership."

Encouraged by the government toppling in Nepal and Bangladesh, our opposition politicians who have been wallowing in political oblivion for over a decade have started fantasizing about similar happenings in India to return to power by hook or crook-a dangerous proposition that we must guard against.

It is important that we tread with caution rather than give the CJP protest approval carte blanche. The current protest by the CJP focuses on the debacle of the May 3, 2026 NEET exam which was plagued by widespread "leaks" and led to the cancellation of the entire exam.

The sequence of events post the "leak" indicates that the government did act promptly to arrest the culprits and did refine the system to make it more robust as exemplified by the retest that was conducted successfully. It can be used as a template for future exams. A solution appears to have been found. The introduction of a computer-based exam by 2027 is a step in the right direction. We need to build on these changes for a robust system in an atmosphere of co-operation rather than confrontation. So, at this juncture the protest by the CJP appears redundant save for making a point. The education minister too has resigned as per the demand of the CJP protesters.

While we should not absolve the government of its oversight responsibilities we need to acknowledge where the corruption begins if we are really interested in resolving this matter.

Coming to the crux of the paper leak, the million-dollar question: Who is benefitting from these leaked papers? Who is buying these leaked papers by paying lakhs of rupees and thereby fuelling a corruption network? The answer is plain and simple. It is a section of the students themselves. Cheating has been on the rise in India in recent years aided high-tech techniques.

If the rot has to be stemmed then it must begin from the source-the students who buy and use these leaked papers. If there is no market for leaked papers, this criminality will automatically become less attractive to wrongdoers and peter out. So, it is time that Gen Z does some introspection. Is Gen Z willing to take the battle into its own ranks and weed out their own rotten apples? To enhance their credibility, students all across India must take a pledge not to cheat and ensure that their colleagues not do as well. They must also work to turn in their colleagues indulging in malpractices.

The call for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is nothing more than ego play and political grandstanding-not a demand driven by logic or even accountability. Resignation of a minister post an administrative lapse has become some sort of a benchmark of honesty and integrity in modern India: an erroneous axiom that needs to be dismantled. Administrative lapses are inevitable. The solution is prompt identification and correction. Resignation implies defeat and running away from one's responsibility. Unless the minister concerned is directly involved in a corruption scandal, redemption lies in the minister taking responsibility and resolving the matter; an action that shows more character and integrity. Dharmendra Pradhan appears to have already done that.

Street protests are fine and can be a part of a democracy but only to a degree. They cannot be utilized to force change. The statement by Yogendra Yadav that "Democracy will run from the streets and not Parliament and that democracy will be decided by resistance not elections," is a dangerous call for anarchy. It is the voice of frustrated politicians marginalized by democracy who wish to attain power by hook or crook even if it means destroying a functioning democracy. The hypocrisy at play is obvious. First these politicians went about holding the Constitution in one hand to win an election. When that did not work, they appear to be willing to discard it to get to power.

Violence cannot be a part of any equation in a democracy. While police brutality cannot be condoned neither can we look the other way at violence perpetrated by students. Just because they are young, anything and everything is not excusable. A viral video in which a mob of students hound an unarmed policeman and trample upon him denotes a barbarism and lawlessness that is just not acceptable. Stone pelting with serious injury to police personnel is not peaceful protest.

We have a vibrant functioning democracy that is the envy of the world. The way to effect change is through the ballot box and the Parliament of elected people's representatives. Street protests may have an honest beginning but there is a real danger of disgruntled politicians, anti-national elements including foreign powers hijacking the process to do irreparable harm to both our democracy and nation.

The students have made a point. The next step is to work with the government which has shown a willingness in a spirit of co-operation and not confrontation to bring about change that will fulfil the aspirational youth of the country.