Anupreeta Das and Showkat NandaJul 26, 2026 – 3.26pmNew Delhi | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to avert one of the biggest crises to hit his government in more than a decade by bowing to the demands of an upstart youth movement, prompting its leaders to call off nationwide protests that had shown few signs of fizzling.The concessions, including the resignation of India’s education minister – a key demand of the protesters – represent a rare retreat for Modi, a strongman under whom the space for dissent has shrunk steadily in the world’s largest democracy.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles