New Delhi: Environmental activist Greta Thunberg joined a victory day celebration in solidarity with the protesters in India. The demonstration, held in Trafalgar Square in London, was to celebrate the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan following student-led protests demanding accountability over examination irregularities.
“The youth of India has inspired the world,” she wrote in an Instagram post, sharing images from the event.
The gathering held on 26 July 2026 was organised by the UK unit of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI-UK). Thunberg stood among demonstrators outside the Indian High Commission before the group moved to Trafalgar Square.
Addressing the crowd, she delivered a short speech talking about the power of student protests.
“The Indian student protest shows what we can achieve when people come together and resist. The protests show the true meaning of people power. The Indian student struggle for justice and broader struggle for democracy and liberation is also our struggle,” she said. She closed with the words “Power to the people.”
Protesters — which included both the Indian diaspora and UK natives — held placards that read “Power to the People”, “Government so bad even the colonizers are here”, “Don’t get complacent”, “Scrap NEET”, among others.
The Indian protests
The protests that prompted the London demonstration had begun weeks earlier over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, most prominently the NEET paper leak. Student groups, youth organisations and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanded greater transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms to the examination process. Large numbers of protesters camped at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Activist Sonam Wangchuk later joined through a hunger strike.
After 36 days of sustained protests, the movement ended on July 26 with Pradhan’s resignation. The government simultaneously announced a series of measures, including proposed amendments to anti-paper leak laws, fast-track courts for examination offences, and a high-powered task force on reforms headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. Pralhad Joshi was given additional charge of the Education Ministry.
UK rallies
The London rally was preceded by demonstrations across the United Kingdom, including in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, Manchester, and the Indian Embassy in London.
SFI-UK described the rallies as both a celebration of the students’ success and a reminder that the struggle was not over.
“While acknowledging and celebrating the huge win for the movement, everyone gathered also resolved to continue the fight until we achieve a fair, transparent, and accountable education system and all of our demands are met,” read a post from the Glasgow demonstration.
Reactions
Videos and still images of Thunberg speaking and standing with the crowd circulated rapidly on Instagram and other platforms.
Misan Harriman, Nigerian photographer and entrepreneur, shared a recording of Thunberg’s speech at the event, writing, “The importance of intersectional collective liberation is everything!”
Many supporters have publicly thanked her for showing up. SFI-UK and its leadership expressed gratitude, describing her presence as a source of hope for global movements and evidence of the power of collective resistance.
“Thank you, Greta. We love & respect you,” read a comment under her post.
However, several Indians questioned her involvement. Critics argue that a climate activist has no business inserting herself into what they call India’s internal matters.
“Why are foreign activists becoming increasingly vocal about India’s internal affairs?” questioned a post on X.
Several social commentators asked why Thunberg, known primarily for environmental campaigns, chose to join a protest over competitive examination reforms and a ministerial resignation – specifically after the minister had resigned.
“Amrika (America) is mad that Pradhan resigned and the protest got over before turning into anarchy. Now they are trying to fan the flames of a fire that’s already out,” commented a user on X under a post about protests in the UK.