LOOKING BACK

Students were a crucial part of the independence struggle. Some milestone movements initiated by or involving students since independence

1965

LANGUAGE PROTEST

Students in Tamil Nadu protested against the adoption of Hindi as the country’s official language. PM Lal Bahadur Shastri had to assure them that English would also continue as an official language

1967-1972 NAXAL MOVEMENT IN WB

In 1970, the Naxalites or the radical communists gained a strong presence among sections of the student movement in West Bengal. The state also introduced strong counter-measures

1973-74 NAV NIRMAN MOVEMENT IN GUJARAT

A movement against economic crisis and corruption, which led to the resignation of Chimanbhai Patel, the then chief minister, against whom there were corruption charges

1975-77

EMERGENCY

In April 1974, in Patna, Jai Prakash Narayan called on students and others for a total revolution. In 1975, when Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency in the country, students were among those who protested

1979-85

ASSAM AGITATION

A protest led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), it was targeted against undocumented immigrants living in Assam

1985 ANTI-RESERVATION MOVE IN GUJARAT

A protest by students against the Gujarat government for increasing reservations for backward classes following the recommendations of the Rane Commission

1990 ANTI-MANDAL AGITATION

The Central government in August 1990 decided to accept the recommendations of the Mandal Commission reserving 27 per cent jobs for OBCs. This led to many students agitating against the move