The protests witnessed in Delhi are being compared to India's National Movement by some veterans.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded by promising fast-track courts and assuring justice for the youth. However, these assurances have not calmed the protesters.
Such fast track courts hardly make any visible impact as known to many. It's just an eye washing practice.
The primary demand of many students and youth is not another promise but the suspension or removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. That is the issue dominating the protests today.
A major question is why the Prime Minister is unwilling to shift Dharmendra Pradhan to another ministry and appoint a new Education Minister.
Such cabinet reshuffles are common in parliamentary governments and can be done without much difficulty.
This raises another question. Is the hesitation driven by political strategy or by the belief that accepting one demand from the opposition and protesting youth would be seen as a sign of weakness? Whatever the reason, the silence has only fueled more speculation.
Equally puzzling is why Dharmendra Pradhan himself has not offered to resign. India has seen leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shastri set high standards by resigning as Railway Minister after a train accident, accepting moral responsibility.
No one is claiming that Dharmendra Pradhan is personally responsible for the NEET paper leak. Yet public life often demands moral accountability.
Even submitting his resignation, leaving it to the Prime Minister to accept or reject, would have sent a strong message.
Some may argue that conceding this demand would encourage more protests in the future. But that argument appears weak because student groups have already announced that their protests will continue on various public issues.
Governments should judge every movement on its own merits. Refusing a relatively simple demand that carries symbolic value risks alienating young citizens and creating unnecessary criticism, both within India and internationally.
Ironically, Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier spoken strongly against examination paper leaks and the damage they cause to students.
That is precisely why many believe that accepting moral responsibility by changing his portfolio would restore public confidence without implying personal guilt.
