Saurabh Mukherjee
Hundreds of SSC aspirants gathered at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, August 24, to protest against the abrupt cancellation of exams and alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment process.
The demonstration, organised under the banner of Chhatra Maha Andolan, saw nearly 1,500 candidates participating, demanding transparency and accountability from the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) following repeated disruptions during the Phase 13 exams.
The protest soon turned tense after reports emerged that the lights at the venue were cut, following which the Delhi Police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Several students were reportedly injured. Delhi Police, however, denied the use of force, maintaining that they only detained 44 protesters after repeated requests to vacate the venue were ignored.
“Around 15,00 protesters gathered at Ramlila Maidan. Of these, around 100 refused to leave after the permitted time, despite repeated requests and intimations. As many as 44 were detained while the other dispersed,” a police officer told The Times of India.
Officials claimed the step was necessary to maintain order, and all detainees were later released.
Political leaders across party lines condemned the incident. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a sharp attack on the government, called the police action a symbol of “cowardice.”
Posting on X, he wrote, “The brutal lathicharge on SSC candidates and teachers who were peacefully protesting at Ramlila Maidan is not only shameful, it is the hallmark of a cowardly government. The youth had only demanded their rights – employment and justice. What did they get? Lathicharge.”
It is clear that the Modi government is neither concerned about the youth of this country nor about their future. Why would it be? This government came to power not by the votes of the people, but by stealing votes. First, they will steal the votes. Then, they will steal the exams. Then, they will steal the jobs. And finally, they will crush both your rights and your voice! Youth, farmers, the poor, Bahujans, and minorities – they do not want your votes, so your demands will never be their priority. Now is the time – not to be afraid, but to fight bravely,” Gandhi added.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the Modi government, saying corruption under BJP rule had destroyed the future of the youth.
“The use of police force on SSC students protesting at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan is inhuman and shameful. The youth of the entire country are troubled by rigging in exams, scams in recruitment, and repeated paper leaks. The corruption in the recruitment process and examinations under BJP rule is ruining the future of the youth. Instead of addressing these issues and listening to the students, resorting to a lathi charge is unfortunate. Rather than being cruel to the students, their voices should be heard,” she wrote.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined the criticism, calling the incident a brazen attempt to silence dissent.
“Open hooliganism is taking place in the country. The voices of those who question the BJP are silenced by lathicharge. Anyone can be picked up and thrown into jail, and any law can be changed at their whim. If someone does not vote for the BJP, their vote is simply cancelled. The BJP has made a mockery not only of democracy but of the entire system,” he said in his post on X.
The anger among candidates stems from repeated exam disruptions. Between July 24 and August 1, the SSC abruptly halted examinations at 194 centers across 142 cities, citing software failures, biometric verification glitches, and incorrect center allocations.
Nearly five lakh aspirants were affected by the cancellations, sparking widespread frustration. Students also allege negligence by Eduquity Career Technologies, the vendor managing the exams, which they say has consistently failed to ensure smooth conduct.
With videos of police dispersing students circulating widely on social media, outrage has spread beyond Delhi. Aspirants nationwide have expressed solidarity, while student organisations, including the NSUI, have demanded a judicial probe, removal of the vendor, and systemic reforms in the recruitment process.
For now, the SSC has not released an official statement addressing either the exam disruptions or the police action. But with mounting anger, the Ramlila Maidan protest has reignited calls for transparent recruitment practices and institutional accountability, as millions of young aspirants continue to see their futures hanging in the balance.
The demonstration, organised under the banner of Chhatra Maha Andolan, saw nearly 1,500 candidates participating, demanding transparency and accountability from the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) following repeated disruptions during the Phase 13 exams.
The protest soon turned tense after reports emerged that the lights at the venue were cut, following which the Delhi Police allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Several students were reportedly injured. Delhi Police, however, denied the use of force, maintaining that they only detained 44 protesters after repeated requests to vacate the venue were ignored.
“Around 15,00 protesters gathered at Ramlila Maidan. Of these, around 100 refused to leave after the permitted time, despite repeated requests and intimations. As many as 44 were detained while the other dispersed,” a police officer told The Times of India.
Officials claimed the step was necessary to maintain order, and all detainees were later released.
Political leaders across party lines condemned the incident. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a sharp attack on the government, called the police action a symbol of “cowardice.”
Posting on X, he wrote, “The brutal lathicharge on SSC candidates and teachers who were peacefully protesting at Ramlila Maidan is not only shameful, it is the hallmark of a cowardly government. The youth had only demanded their rights – employment and justice. What did they get? Lathicharge.”
It is clear that the Modi government is neither concerned about the youth of this country nor about their future. Why would it be? This government came to power not by the votes of the people, but by stealing votes. First, they will steal the votes. Then, they will steal the exams. Then, they will steal the jobs. And finally, they will crush both your rights and your voice! Youth, farmers, the poor, Bahujans, and minorities – they do not want your votes, so your demands will never be their priority. Now is the time – not to be afraid, but to fight bravely,” Gandhi added.
रामलीला मैदान में शांतिपूर्ण प्रदर्शन कर रहे SSC अभ्यर्थियों और शिक्षकों पर बर्बर लाठीचार्ज - शर्मनाक ही नहीं, एक डरपोक सरकार की पहचान है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 25, 2025
युवाओं ने सिर्फ़ अपना हक़ मांगा था - रोज़गार और न्याय। मिली क्या? लाठियां।
साफ़ है - मोदी सरकार को न देश के युवाओं की चिंता है, न उनके…
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the Modi government, saying corruption under BJP rule had destroyed the future of the youth.
“The use of police force on SSC students protesting at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan is inhuman and shameful. The youth of the entire country are troubled by rigging in exams, scams in recruitment, and repeated paper leaks. The corruption in the recruitment process and examinations under BJP rule is ruining the future of the youth. Instead of addressing these issues and listening to the students, resorting to a lathi charge is unfortunate. Rather than being cruel to the students, their voices should be heard,” she wrote.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined the criticism, calling the incident a brazen attempt to silence dissent.
“Open hooliganism is taking place in the country. The voices of those who question the BJP are silenced by lathicharge. Anyone can be picked up and thrown into jail, and any law can be changed at their whim. If someone does not vote for the BJP, their vote is simply cancelled. The BJP has made a mockery not only of democracy but of the entire system,” he said in his post on X.
The anger among candidates stems from repeated exam disruptions. Between July 24 and August 1, the SSC abruptly halted examinations at 194 centers across 142 cities, citing software failures, biometric verification glitches, and incorrect center allocations.
Nearly five lakh aspirants were affected by the cancellations, sparking widespread frustration. Students also allege negligence by Eduquity Career Technologies, the vendor managing the exams, which they say has consistently failed to ensure smooth conduct.
With videos of police dispersing students circulating widely on social media, outrage has spread beyond Delhi. Aspirants nationwide have expressed solidarity, while student organisations, including the NSUI, have demanded a judicial probe, removal of the vendor, and systemic reforms in the recruitment process.
For now, the SSC has not released an official statement addressing either the exam disruptions or the police action. But with mounting anger, the Ramlila Maidan protest has reignited calls for transparent recruitment practices and institutional accountability, as millions of young aspirants continue to see their futures hanging in the balance.
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