Detaining over 150 students and deploying live facial recognition at a protest is a disproportionate response that undermines democratic freedoms. The students were peacefully demanding accountability on unemployment and exam fairness—issues that directly affect millions. By issuing advisories for students to stay away, university administrations inadvertently sided with the state, chilling the atmosphere for legitimate protest.
Facial recognition technology, without clear legal safeguards, poses a serious threat to privacy. Activists have documented how such tools have been used to target minorities and dissenters. Using it on students sets a worrying precedent.
The detentions sent a signal that even organized, permitted protests at a traditional venue like Jantar Mantar are subject to arbitrary crackdowns. Many of those detained were held for hours without access to lawyers, which critics say violates due process.
While public order is important, the state should focus on addressing the root causes of protest—like unemployment—rather than criminalizing dissent. The university advisories, though voluntary, pressure students to self-censor. This combination of police action and institutional caution risks creating a climate where young people are afraid to raise their voices.
Accountability is needed: those who ordered the surveillance and detentions should answer to the public. Until then, trust in the system erodes.