Campus to street: When students drove change

Historically, Indian universities have been far more than centres of learning. They have served as crucibles of political thought and democratic mobilisation, producing some of the country’s largest mass movements. Student-led agitations have shaped public policy, brought about social change, toppled governments and launched the political careers of many across ideological lines — from the Left to BJP, Congress and regional parties. Even former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan rose from a major student protest against an examination paper leak in 1997 in Odisha. He was the national secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad then