In this winter of discontent, in every procession, in every demonstration, in every protest – from JNU to Jamia or Aligarh to Jadavpur – the front rows are occupied by young women. The independent nation has never seen such a sustained political agitation led by young women – vociferously, unfailingly and determinedly. Who are these protesting, shouting and uproarious young women? Are they just students from India’s liberal campuses? Or are they instigated by opponent parties? Is their participation an accident or is there a method in this upheaval?