Student protests driven by foreign forces, says Indian official

Gajendra Singh Patel said that while minor mistakes by teachers in schools were understandable, such issues should not drive children onto the streets in protest. He expressed concern that students were being mobilized for demonstrations over incidents that could be addressed through proper institutional channels.

Patel suggested that external forces were manipulating student activism to advance their own geopolitical interests. He characterized the involvement of Generation Z in street protests as a form of misguided activism that went beyond reasonable responses to educational grievances.

The official emphasized that the government and relevant organizations were actively engaged with student concerns and committed to finding solutions to their problems. He appealed to students to pursue grievances through established mechanisms rather than public demonstrations.

The comments come as student protests have gained visibility across the region, with youth activism becoming increasingly prominent in public discourse. Patel's statements reflect growing official concern about the scale and organization of student-led movements challenging the status quo.