Wed Dec 25 08:06:39 UTC 2024: ## 2024: A Year of Global Unrest

**New Delhi, December 25, 2024** – The year 2024 witnessed a surge in global protests, highlighting widespread discontent across diverse sectors and regions. From farmers’ rights to women’s liberation and geopolitical conflicts, demonstrations gripped nations worldwide.

In India, a renewed farmers’ protest echoing the 2020-21 agitation saw thousands march on Delhi demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees and loan waivers. Simultaneously, India also saw large-scale protests following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, with tens of thousands of women taking to the streets demanding justice and safer spaces.

The plight of Afghan women under the Taliban regime sparked international condemnation. A joint statement by the European Union and over 70 countries criticized restrictions on women’s access to education and employment, highlighting the devastating impact on humanitarian aid. Despite a Taliban crackdown, Afghan women bravely staged rare private demonstrations.

Ethnic violence in Manipur, India, further fueled protests, exposing deep-seated tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The situation remains volatile, with near-complete separation between the groups.

Political unrest extended beyond India’s borders. Student-led protests in Bangladesh resulted in the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government following demands for a merit-based quota system. In the U.S., pro-Palestinian demonstrations escalated after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, with large-scale protests on university campuses.

Europe also experienced significant farmer protests, driven by concerns over new environmental regulations and the impact of the war in Ukraine on agricultural businesses. In the UK, riots erupted following a knife attack, fueled by the spread of misinformation. Meanwhile, the ongoing defiance of Iranian women against mandatory hijab laws continues to challenge the regime. The protests highlight a global pattern of frustration over economic hardship, social injustice, and political repression.

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