Modi announces panel to reform India's exam system; anti-govt graffiti at protest site painted over

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday the formation of a special task force aimed at reforming India's examination system. This decision comes just a day after his government's education minister resigned amid widespread protests.

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Our examination system must be reliable. Our examination system must be transparent. Our examination system must make maximum use of technology.

The protests, largely driven by social media and involving thousands of students, had converged at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar site, becoming one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in recent years. The movement initially focused on education reforms but evolved to encompass broader concerns about youth unemployment and criticisms of Modi's governance style.

In a video posted on X, Modi stated that the high-powered task force would be led by Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Indian IT giant Infosys. "Our examination system must be reliable. Our examination system must be transparent. Our examination system must make maximum use of technology," Modi declared, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring the credibility of upcoming examinations swiftly.

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We have been here since midnight when the protesters left. The walls have been painted, but may require another coat of paint as some lines [from the slogans] are still visible.

The resignation of the education minister and the acceptance of other key demands by the government marked the culmination of weeks of unrest. However, by Sunday, the protest site had been cleared by municipal workers. Activists who had camped there for weeks had departed, though some graffiti and slogans remained visible on the walls.

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It’s a shame that the protest is over by the time I reached here. I first heard about it on Instagram and saw the electrifying atmosphere, colourful walls, posters, and wanted to be here and experience it myself.

Young people who traveled from across India to join the movement expressed disappointment at arriving after the protests had concluded. Nayan Thakrele, 19, who traveled 20 hours by train from Madhya Pradesh, learned about the protest on Instagram and had hoped to experience the "electrifying atmosphere." Similarly, Amish, 35, who flew in from Mumbai before the education minister's resignation, felt the government had created its own difficulties through its response to the protests. "Had they not tried a crackdown, the protest wouldn't have become as big as it did," Amish commented, adding that he believes the government will "face the electoral consequences of its recent actions."

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Had they not tried a crackdown, the protest wouldn't have become as big as it did. I feel that this government will now face the electoral consequences of its recent actions.