Protests are increasing day by day in France. The protests that started against the shortcomings of schools and rising costs have now turned violent. Fire incidents have occurred in many cities. According to reports, more than 8 lakh people have taken to the streets in the country. More than 6 thousand demonstrators have been arrested. But the protest does not stop.

As reported by France 24, the demonstrators reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan. A fire broke out in a 143-year-old building in the city of Limoges. There were clashes between the police and the demonstrators at many places. During the demonstration some people climbed on the historical statues. There were also reports of protesters storming government buildings in Lille and Marseille. Protests have been going on in France for the past month.

What are the demands of the agitators?

The demands of the agitators are not limited to the problems of schools. They are also demanding increase in salaries and pensions, control of inflation and improvement of government facilities. Also, students are demanding reforms in the education system.

The biggest complaint of students is shortage of teachers in schools. There are vacant posts of teachers in many schools. At the same time, if teachers are absent for a long time, other teachers do not replace them. This affects studies and sometimes classes of important subjects have to be cancelled.

Apart from this, students have also raised the issue of overcrowded classes, lack of drinking water, scorching heat and poor school buildings. There is also resentment over long school schedules. In some schools, students have to study from 8 am to 6 pm. The agitators are demanding to remove these problems and provide better facilities in the schools.

The protest that started in the school spread across the country

In France, the movement began on September 17 at the Antoine de Saint-Exupery High School in Crétil, near Paris. Here teachers went on strike against shortage of staff and resources. Students also started demonstrating in support of it. On September 29, the administration agreed to provide additional staff, a deputy principal and a nurse to the school, after which the strike ended. However, by then the protests had spread to other areas. In just 8 days the movement reached 410 schools. After this, university students also joined it. Students also started getting support from their parents, teachers and labor unions.

On October 5, a 15-year-old boy was badly injured in the arm by a police grenade during a demonstration in the northern French city of Lens. The injury was so severe that his hand had to be amputated. This incident further increased the anger of the people against the strict action of the police. Over 200 students, 85 school employees and 700 policemen have been injured so far in clashes across the country during the agitation. Thus, the protest that started against the shortage of staff and resources in schools gradually turned into a larger movement.

Why does the protest not stop?

1. Inflation and Wages Issue: The agitators are demanding increase in salary and pension. He says that due to inflation, the cost burden is increasing on people and it is becoming difficult to run a household with their earnings.
2. Poor system of schools: Many schools suffer from shortage of teachers, dilapidated buildings and lack of necessary facilities. Due to which the studies of the students are affected and they are demanding better education system.
3. Anger against police action On October 5, a 15-year-old student’s hand was badly injured by a police grenade in Lens, which later had to be amputated. After this incident, people’s anger against the action of the police increased.
4. Dissatisfaction with Unsatisfied Demands: Steps were taken like providing additional staff in the school, but not all the demands of the agitators were met. Because of this, the resentment continued and the agitation spread to other areas as well.