Vandita Mishra writes: The day after I-Day, snapshots of freedom and unfreedom

After the students' movement forced a powerful government to yield, Independence Day served as a reminder of what has changed and what has not. The day following the protests, it is an opportunity to reflect on the shifts in the narrative surrounding freedom. Initially, the story painted Congress and regional parties as being in decline while the BJP, with its unwavering power, seized the vacated spaces left by the Opposition.

However, the resignation of Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan due to student protests has now shattered the narrative, revealing the government's vulnerability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's I-Day speech acknowledged the students' movement but portrayed them as passive beneficiaries of the national project. He labeled the young protesters as "dimagi Naxal," a term that aimed to criminalize their thoughts and ideas. The incident of students paying homage to a late professor in Mumbai, accused of raising slogans, further exemplified the clampdown on freedom of speech and expression.

Additionally, JNU authorities withdrew permission to discuss a PhD dissertation, showcasing the growing limitations on academic freedom.

The clampdown extended to the Bar Council of India, which punished the 2026 batch for criticizing the Chief Justice of India, raising concerns about the growing influence of political and judicial establishment over future legal professionals. These events, occurring in the aftermath of the student protests, highlight the fragility of democratic spaces and the ongoing struggle for wider freedoms.

While Gen Z emerged as a catalyst for change, their role and impact remain uncertain, as they navigate a complex and evolving political landscape. Going forward, the significance of Gen Z will be determined by whether they continue to serve as a catalyst for change and challenge the status quo.