Not here just for my grandchildren: 84-year-old at Jantar Mantar's CJP protest
At a Delhi protest over paper leaks, an 84-year-old man said he had come to support the movement. His remarks reflected wider concern over students' futures and demands for a fair education system.
The afternoon sun was relentless, but it did little to deter the crowds gathering at Jantar Mantar on July 21. Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) streamed into the protest site, carrying banners, waving placards, and raising slogans despite the sweltering heat.
The demonstration came a day after the party's Sansad Chalo march, with many protesters returning to continue their demand over alleged paper leaks and issues affecting students.
At the entrance, Delhi Police personnel maintained a tight security presence, checking bags and verifying visitors before allowing them into the venue. Inside, however, the atmosphere was calm yet determined. Protesters stood shoulder to shoulder, chanting slogans, singing songs of resistance, and listening attentively to speakers addressing the gathering.
As I made my way through the crowd, surrounded by hundreds of protesters, one person immediately caught my eye.
Away from the slogans and speeches stood an 84-year-old man, quietly observing everything around him.
He wasn't holding a placard or leading chants. He simply stood there, alone.
Curious, I walked up to him and asked, "Why are you here?
Without hesitation, he replied, "I have come here to express my sympathy and support for the movement taking place here."
'I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE'
He told me he was 84 years old.
This wasn't his first visit. He had already attended the protest twice before and had even met activist Sonam Wangchuk during one of his earlier visits.
As we spoke, he shared that he divides his time between Kolkata and Delhi and has spent years working as a social activist on India-Pakistan relations and the Kashmir issue. He also recalled initiating a civil society letter, signed by several prominent citizens, urging the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to pursue dialogue.
'THE GOVERNMENT MUST SOLVE THIS PROBLEM'
I then asked him what he believed should happen next and what he expected from the Education Minister.
His response came without hesitation.
"The priority should be to solve this problem. This issue has been continuing for so many days. It has become extremely serious. The careers of so many young people are at stake. Education is important. Why is the government delaying? I don't understand."
'I'M NOT HERE JUST FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN'
He paused before adding something that stayed with me.
"Yes, I have grandchildren. But I am not standing here only because of them. This is about every student. A solution must be found. Paper leaks should never happen."
His concern extended far beyond his own family. For him, the issue was about protecting the future of every student whose education and career could be affected by repeated examination irregularities.
'THE STORY I DIDN'T EXPECT TO FIND'
When I arrived, I thought I would be covering speeches, placards and political slogans at the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
Instead, I found the story of an 84-year-old man who had stepped out in the scorching heat because he believed India's students deserved a fair education system and a future free from paper leaks.
Sometimes, the most memorable voice at a protest isn't the one holding the microphone. It's the quiet person standing in the crowd, reminding everyone why the issue matters.
The afternoon sun was relentless, but it did little to deter the crowds gathering at Jantar Mantar on July 21. Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) streamed into the protest site, carrying banners, waving placards, and raising slogans despite the sweltering heat.
The demonstration came a day after the party's Sansad Chalo march, with many protesters returning to continue their demand over alleged paper leaks and issues affecting students.
At the entrance, Delhi Police personnel maintained a tight security presence, checking bags and verifying visitors before allowing them into the venue. Inside, however, the atmosphere was calm yet determined. Protesters stood shoulder to shoulder, chanting slogans, singing songs of resistance, and listening attentively to speakers addressing the gathering.
As I made my way through the crowd, surrounded by hundreds of protesters, one person immediately caught my eye.
Away from the slogans and speeches stood an 84-year-old man, quietly observing everything around him.
He wasn't holding a placard or leading chants. He simply stood there, alone.
Curious, I walked up to him and asked, "Why are you here?
Without hesitation, he replied, "I have come here to express my sympathy and support for the movement taking place here."
'I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE'
He told me he was 84 years old.
This wasn't his first visit. He had already attended the protest twice before and had even met activist Sonam Wangchuk during one of his earlier visits.
As we spoke, he shared that he divides his time between Kolkata and Delhi and has spent years working as a social activist on India-Pakistan relations and the Kashmir issue. He also recalled initiating a civil society letter, signed by several prominent citizens, urging the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to pursue dialogue.
'THE GOVERNMENT MUST SOLVE THIS PROBLEM'
I then asked him what he believed should happen next and what he expected from the Education Minister.
His response came without hesitation.
"The priority should be to solve this problem. This issue has been continuing for so many days. It has become extremely serious. The careers of so many young people are at stake. Education is important. Why is the government delaying? I don't understand."
'I'M NOT HERE JUST FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN'
He paused before adding something that stayed with me.
"Yes, I have grandchildren. But I am not standing here only because of them. This is about every student. A solution must be found. Paper leaks should never happen."
His concern extended far beyond his own family. For him, the issue was about protecting the future of every student whose education and career could be affected by repeated examination irregularities.
'THE STORY I DIDN'T EXPECT TO FIND'
When I arrived, I thought I would be covering speeches, placards and political slogans at the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
Instead, I found the story of an 84-year-old man who had stepped out in the scorching heat because he believed India's students deserved a fair education system and a future free from paper leaks.
Sometimes, the most memorable voice at a protest isn't the one holding the microphone. It's the quiet person standing in the crowd, reminding everyone why the issue matters.
The afternoon sun was relentless, but it did little to deter the crowds gathering at Jantar Mantar on July 21. Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) streamed into the protest site, carrying banners, waving placards, and raising slogans despite the sweltering heat.
The demonstration came a day after the party's Sansad Chalo march, with many protesters returning to continue their demand over alleged paper leaks and issues affecting students.
At the entrance, Delhi Police personnel maintained a tight security presence, checking bags and verifying visitors before allowing them into the venue. Inside, however, the atmosphere was calm yet determined. Protesters stood shoulder to shoulder, chanting slogans, singing songs of resistance, and listening attentively to speakers addressing the gathering.
As I made my way through the crowd, surrounded by hundreds of protesters, one person immediately caught my eye.
Away from the slogans and speeches stood an 84-year-old man, quietly observing everything around him.
He wasn't holding a placard or leading chants. He simply stood there, alone.
Curious, I walked up to him and asked, "Why are you here?
Without hesitation, he replied, "I have come here to express my sympathy and support for the movement taking place here."
'I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE'
He told me he was 84 years old.
This wasn't his first visit. He had already attended the protest twice before and had even met activist Sonam Wangchuk during one of his earlier visits.
As we spoke, he shared that he divides his time between Kolkata and Delhi and has spent years working as a social activist on India-Pakistan relations and the Kashmir issue. He also recalled initiating a civil society letter, signed by several prominent citizens, urging the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to pursue dialogue.
'THE GOVERNMENT MUST SOLVE THIS PROBLEM'
I then asked him what he believed should happen next and what he expected from the Education Minister.
His response came without hesitation.
"The priority should be to solve this problem. This issue has been continuing for so many days. It has become extremely serious. The careers of so many young people are at stake. Education is important. Why is the government delaying? I don't understand."
'I'M NOT HERE JUST FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN'
He paused before adding something that stayed with me.
"Yes, I have grandchildren. But I am not standing here only because of them. This is about every student. A solution must be found. Paper leaks should never happen."
His concern extended far beyond his own family. For him, the issue was about protecting the future of every student whose education and career could be affected by repeated examination irregularities.
'THE STORY I DIDN'T EXPECT TO FIND'
When I arrived, I thought I would be covering speeches, placards and political slogans at the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
Instead, I found the story of an 84-year-old man who had stepped out in the scorching heat because he believed India's students deserved a fair education system and a future free from paper leaks.
Sometimes, the most memorable voice at a protest isn't the one holding the microphone. It's the quiet person standing in the crowd, reminding everyone why the issue matters.
