Student protests in India spread across 18 campuses

New Delhi - Students in the eastern city of Kolkata burnt an effigy of Modi and left-wing groups in the neighbouring state of Odisha planned state-wide demonstrations.

 India's biggest nationwide student protests in a quarter of a century spread across campuses on Monday after the arrest of a student accused of sedition, in the latest battle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over freedom of expression.
Outrage over the arrest of the left-wing student leader, who had organised a rally to mark the anniversary of the execution of a Kashmiri separatist, Afzal Guru, has led to demonstrations in at least 18 universities.
Students in the eastern city of Kolkata burnt an effigy of Modi and left-wing groups in the neighbouring state of Odisha planned state-wide demonstrations.
Analysts said the student protests were the most widespread in India since the self-immolation of a young Indian in 1990 after the government ruled in favour of providing affirmative action to the lower castes in higher education.
"We are witnessing liberal India, particularly young people who are usually more idealistic, fighting back," said Satish Misra, a political analyst at the Observer Research Foundation.
 

• India