After Injuries and Weeks of Protest, Students Celebrate as Education Minister Resigns
Irshad Shaikh, 25, was discharged from Lady Hardinge Hospital in Delhi on Friday after suffering multiple pellet injuries during the Sansad Chalo march on July 20. Even as he underwent several complicated procedures in the last few days, he felt elated on Saturday when news of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister broke. “This was a fight for all of us, and all of us won,” he told The Indian Express.
Many protesters like Shaikh, who were injured during the protest at Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak and other issues, celebrated Pradhan’s exit and the acceptance of other demands by the protest group.
Ajeet, 30, a teacher from West Delhi’s Paschim Vihar, said he had been at the protest site since the group’s founder began the demonstration on June 6. He suffered injuries to his eyes and legs during the protest but had no regrets. “We have been called anti-national, accused of getting foreign funding. How will those who made these allegations justify the claims? If anything wrong happens to the students again, we shall gather here once more,” he said.
Another youth, Ujjwal, who was also injured, walked beside him. “We came here separately… but we’re leaving with lifelong friends. So many memories — songs we sang together, nights spent sleeping on the footpath in this heat and humidity, standing in long queues just to use a bathroom.”
A protester admitted at RML Hospital and later discharged said, “I got a call from my father in Allahabad. They’re celebrating at home with sweets.”
Vijay Rawat, 20, a B.Ed student, suffered a back injury during the July 20 protest march. Though not fully recovered, his spirits were high. He made his way through the streets near Jantar Mantar, congratulating everyone. “This is your victory. We hold the power. We are the future,” he exclaimed.
Suresh Yadav, a Gurgaon-based chef, was injured when security personnel used tear gas on July 22. He was treated at a medical camp set up by volunteers. On Saturday, he sat with a bandaged leg. On Pradhan’s resignation, he said, “It is a step in the correct direction. I am happy that someone started this movement and a revolutionary spark for good. If they are raising their voice, I will too.”
A graphic designer who did not wish to be named was injured on Saturday when tear gas shells were used. “I could feel that today was the last day of the protest. I heard through various people and finally confirmed it via official channels that the resignation happened. We are all happy that a month’s protest has given us the results we needed,” she said.
