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By:

Sachin Udgirkar

14 April 2025 at 1:32:53 pm

The Jantar Mantar Protest: Who’s Really in the Crowd?

Are these protests still about NEET aspirants—or have they evolved into a broader political movement? Every few months, Jantar Mantar becomes the centre of yet another protest. This time, it’s a CJP-led demonstration centred around NEET and demands for education reforms. But if you spend some time there, a question naturally comes to mind: is this really a student protest anymore? Most genuine NEET aspirants are either preparing for their exams, waiting for counselling, or focused on securing...

The Jantar Mantar Protest: Who’s Really in the Crowd?

Are these protests still about NEET aspirants—or have they evolved into a broader political movement? Every few months, Jantar Mantar becomes the centre of yet another protest. This time, it’s a CJP-led demonstration centred around NEET and demands for education reforms. But if you spend some time there, a question naturally comes to mind: is this really a student protest anymore? Most genuine NEET aspirants are either preparing for their exams, waiting for counselling, or focused on securing admissions. It seems unlikely that many of them would have the time to remain at a protest site for days or weeks. For most students, this is a crucial period that demands their complete attention. Admission decisions can shape the course of their academic and professional lives. Instead, many observers have pointed to a crowd that appears noticeably older than the students the movement claims to represent. That, in turn, raises questions about who is sustaining the demonstrations on a day-to-day basis. It also prompts a debate over whether the composition of the crowd reflects the movement's stated objective. Another aspect that raises questions is how the messaging often evolves. What begins as a protest over NEET and examination reforms sometimes expands to include issues that appear unrelated to the original cause. These include Article 370, LGBTQ rights, demands surrounding Umar Khalid’s release, or broader political slogans. Such shifts naturally lead people to ask whether the protest has remained focused on students’ concerns. Or has it become a platform for a much wider political agenda? For many outside observers, the transition from a single-issue campaign to a broader collection of political demands makes it harder to identify the movement's central objective. There have also been reports and social media videos alleging the use of slogans that go beyond the stated objective of education reform. These include calls involving Parliament and references to developments in Nepal. While I have not independently verified these claims, they deserve careful scrutiny if they are found to be accurate. Serious allegations should be investigated rather than accepted or dismissed without evidence. Equally, if such claims are found to be misleading or taken out of context, that too should be established through proper verification rather than speculation. For many people, this pattern feels familiar. Similar activist networks have been visible during the Shaheen Bagh protests, the farm law agitation, and demonstrations linked to JNU. Whether one describes them as seasoned activists, organised advocacy groups, or "andolanjeevis", the perception is that the same organisational machinery often appears across multiple movements, irrespective of the original issue. That perception, whether accurate or not, has become part of the wider public debate surrounding many large-scale demonstrations in recent years. Ultimately, the real concerns of NEET aspirants deserve focused attention. Improving the integrity of examinations, ensuring transparency, and building trust in the admissions process should remain the priority. If a protest intended to highlight those issues gradually shifts towards broader political causes, it risks diluting the very objective it set out to achieve. The effectiveness of any movement often depends on maintaining clarity of purpose. It also depends on ensuring that its original stakeholders remain at the centre of the conversation. The question, therefore, is not whether people have the right to protest—they absolutely do. The real question is whether the movement continues to represent the interests of students or whether those interests have become secondary to a larger political narrative. (The writer is an IT professional based in Thane. Views personal.)

Special Bond With India

The cricketing world mourns the passing of Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, universally known as Sir Gary or Garry Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen. Born on July 28, 1936, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sobers passed away today at the age of 89 (or thereabouts, depending on the exact timing). His death marks the end of an era for cricket, a sport he elevated through unparalleled skill, versatility, and charisma. Sobers was not just a player; he was a genius who could bat with elegance and power, bowl in multiple styles, field brilliantly, and lead with quiet authority.


Sobers made his Test debut for the West Indies at just 17 against England in 1954. Over a 20-year international career spanning 93 Tests, he scored 8,032 runs at a remarkable average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, while claiming 235 wickets at 34.03 and taking 109 catches. In first-class cricket, his numbers were even more staggering: over 28,000 runs and more than 1,000 wickets. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his services to the game and later named one of Barbados’ National Heroes. Wisden honored him as one of the Cricketers of the Century. Don Bradman himself regarded Sobers as the finest all-round cricketer he had seen.


His Best Performance

Among Sobers’ many legendary feats, one stands tallest: his maiden Test century against Pakistan in Kingston in 1958. At the age of 21, he batted for over ten hours to score an unbeaten 365, breaking Len Hutton’s world record for the highest individual Test score (which stood until Brian Lara’s 375 in 1994). It was the first time a player converted a maiden Test ton into a triple century. In that series, he amassed 824 runs with three hundreds. He followed it up with another dominant tour of India in 1958-59, scoring 557 runs with three more centuries.


Another iconic moment came in 1968 at Swansea, where he became the first batsman in first-class cricket to hit six sixes in a single over off Malcolm Nash. As captain, he led the West Indies to memorable series victories, including against Australia in 1965 and a 2-0 win in India in 1966-67. His 254 for the Rest of the World against Australia in 1971 was hailed by Bradman as one of the greatest innings ever seen in that country. Sobers’ ability to switch seamlessly between left-arm spin, fast-medium, and wrist-spin bowling, while dominating with the bat, made him a “five-in-one” cricketer.


Love Affairs in His Career

Sobers’ personal life, like his cricket, had its share of glamour and headlines. During the 1966-67 tour of India, he was briefly engaged to Bollywood actress Anju Mahendru. The relationship between the dashing West Indian captain and the Indian film star captured public imagination, blending cricket and celluloid romance. Though the engagement did not lead to marriage—reportedly due to family differences—the affair remains a colorful chapter in his life.


In 1969, Sobers married Prudence “Pru” Kirby, an Australian, in a union that produced two sons, Matthew and Daniel, and an adopted daughter, Genevieve. The marriage ended in divorce in 1990, but it granted him dual Barbadian-Australian citizenship. Sobers was known for his zest for life off the field, including a love for golf and occasional high-stakes gambling, reflecting the same bold spirit he showed on the pitch.


Connection to India

Sobers shared a special bond with India and Indian cricket. His stellar 1958-59 tour showcased his mastery on Indian pitches, where he dismantled spinners like Subhash Gupte. He returned as captain in 1966-67, leading West Indies to a 2-0 series victory. Later series in the Caribbean saw competitive battles, including against a young Sunil Gavaskar. Indian fans admired his grace and sportsmanship. Sobers’ romance with Anju Mahendru further endeared him to Indian audiences, creating a cultural bridge. India honored his contributions, and he remained a revered figure in Indian cricket lore.


Sir Gary Sobers transcended statistics. He played with joy and fearlessness, inspiring generations of all-rounders like Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, and Jacques Kallis. His legacy endures in the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and countless young cricketers who emulate his versatility. As the world of cricket bids farewell, we celebrate a life lived at the crease with unmatched brilliance. Rest in peace, Sir Gary. Your bat and ball will forever echo in the annals of the sport.


(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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