Four countries, four battles: Why are students taking to the streets?

France, Iran, India and Chile are witnessing student or youth-led protests, but with differing goals. While the French demand better education, Iranian university students are protesting against compulsory hijab, Indians are voicing grievances about election malpractice, and Chileans are demonstrating against proposed spending cuts in public education.

The common feature is a confrontation between protesters and authorities. However, the forces confronting each other, as well as the scale and nature of the unrest, differ.

France: When the classroom becomes a protest site

Where: Paris, its suburbs and other cities in France

Since when: 21 September 2026

What began as a demonstration against a school in Créteil, a sub-urb of Paris, grew into a nationwide protest against the education system.

Students complain about lack of teaching staff, poor conditions and over-crowding. Debates about school funding and university admissions, including the controversial Parcoursup portal, have added fuel to the unrest.

School closures, blockades and demonstrations have spread to universities after initially being confined to high schools.

According to Le Monde , on 6 October, “266,000 (according to the Interior Ministry) to 450,000 (according to protest organizers)” turned out for the demonstrations. However, these are figures from different sources that do not add up.

How is the government responding?

The police have been deployed to lift blockades and control the crowds.

The use of force by law enforcement has become a contentious issue after several serious injuries.

On 7 October, interior minister Laurent Nuñez announced that the EF-SON stun grenade had been suspended, pending investigation into the cause of the 15 year old boy’s amputation.

However, it appears that not all varieties of the so-called stun grenade have been banned.

Indeed, according to Le Monde , on 13 October, police used the EF-SON, whose use had been prohibited by the ministry, as well as the GL-304, which had previously been banned.

France has to balance between responding to student needs and ensuring security.

Can improved living conditions and changes in admissions policy satisfy restless demonstrators?

Iran: Fighting for personal freedoms

Where: Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran

Since when: 28 September 2026

Not only the state of the universities themselves, but also personal freedoms such as the right to protest are at stake in Iran.

On 28 September, dozens of students demonstrated at Allameh Tabataba’i University against compulsory hijab. Protesters also demanded the release of their detained peers and complained about living conditions.

The students staged their protest against the backdrop of a general crackdown on dissent.

How is the government responding?

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Basij militia, under the authority of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, sought to stop the rally.

In addition to arrests and prosecution, students may face disciplinary action at the university.

It should be noted, however, that at this stage, reports indicate that not all those arrested have been tried, and this is not necessarily the case with this particular demonstration.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that, although the government reacted to the protest, it is not yet clear whether it was the specific action of the authorities that caused this protest.

Although, unlike the French, the Iranian protesters do not single out education as a priority, demonstrators nevertheless question the government’s policy in general, as do their fellow countrymen in France.

It is noteworthy that in addition to the issues of education, the students’ personal freedoms were also restricted.

India: From examination grievances to electoral accountability

Where: New Delhi, and other cities in India

Since when: The nationwide campaign of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) started in June 2026; protests specifically targeting the electoral roll began on 25 September

India’s protests have a long history, but the events of late September and early October were among the most significant.

The CJP movement, initially fuelled by examination grievances, gained momentum and drew in not only students but also opposition figures, political parties, and NGOs. CJP activists, along with their allies, protested the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral roll and the conduct of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Protesters argue that the SIR aims to disenfranchise eligible voters, but the Election Commission has stated that it wants to exclude ineligible voters.

The Commission also notes that voters can apply to be added to the roll if they feel they have been excluded erroneously.

How is the government responding?

On 13 October, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Indian authorities of “unnecessary use of force, mass arrests of protesters and journalists, and internet shutdowns during protests”. However, it is essential to recognize that these are allegations made by HRW, not established facts, despite the fact that many of them are consistent with reality.

The issue has reached the Supreme Court, which, on 11 October, ordered authorities to “allow free movement of people and restoration of internet services” as well as “not detain or restrict movement of media and lawyers”.

It is entirely wrong to interpret this as a judgment on the merits of the dispute with the Election Commission.

India’s protests demonstrate how examination-related complaints can evolve into a nationwide campaign questioning the integrity of elections and seeking to defend the right to protest.

Chile: Students challenge proposed education cuts

Where: Santiago, and in particular Alameda, the capital’s main street

Since when: 1 October 2026

Chile’s student movement was triggered by the government’s spending plans for 2027. President Jose Antonio Kast’s proposed budget includes cuts in education spending. The Confederation of Chilean Students (Confech), along with other student organizations, teachers, and workers, demonstrated against spending cuts.

According to police, there were about 6,000 protesters, while Confech’s spokesperson claimed there were more than 20,000.

How is the government responding?

The confrontation with the police took a violent turn. Water cannon, tear gas, smoke grenades and rubber bullets were used to disperse crowds, while protesters threw stones and fireworks. Detentions also occurred: according to the Ministry of the Interior, 17 people were arrested, while other sources report 31.

The authorities condemned the “assault on university students” and stated that the Ministry of Security was considering taking legal action.

Meanwhile, the government’s proposed budget for 2027 is still under discussion; consequently, it cannot be said with certainty that spending cuts have been implemented.

Chile’s government is in a confrontation with protesters over public spending. While the students are insisting on preserving education, the government is committed to the proposed budget.

Four countries, different battles: what connects them?

At first glance, the only common feature of the protests in these four countries may be that they are related to education and led by students. However, there are at least three features that connect these movements.

First, in all cases, students have questioned the government’s ability to manage state affairs.

In France, there was dissatisfaction with the quality of education; in Chile, there is a confrontation over spending. In India, the initial student grievances were linked to examinations but later shifted to election-related issues. In Iran, in addition to university-related problems, the protesters expressed concern about their personal freedoms.

Second, in all four countries, police responded to the protests with force. In France, the use of force by the police has generated controversy because of the many injuries. In Chile, the use of tear gas and water cannon has fueled tension with protesters. In India, police have been accused of using excessive force, and Iranians have noted the crackdown by the Basij militia.

Finally, each of these movements reflects different problems in the relationship between young people and their governments.

Some protesters (for example, in France and Chile) identify education spending as a priority; others (such as the Indians) challenge election procedures and the right to protest. Finally, the Iranians took to the streets not only to voice their concerns about the university but also to resist attempts by the government to restrict their personal freedoms.

Nevertheless, each of these movements carries a warning to the authorities and challenges them to restore the confidence of their youth.

However, a common thread runs through these protests: disregard for the authorities’ ability to manage public life. This disregard manifests itself in the imposition of curbs on freedoms and the use of force against protesters.

It remains to be seen what steps the authorities will take to improve the situation.