Behind the demonstrativeness at Jantar Mantar, which then spread to Ranchi in a restrained and peaceful manner under the leadership of students, is something that is genuine. An opportunistic Opposition that saw an opening to be more relevant in national affairs and jumped on the explosive Jantar Mantar situation may now have to persuade one of its own leaders to be reasonable and assuage the Jharkhand protesters. No one expects that an ideal meritocracy can be put in place in a country that has such a huge, decades-old commitment to affirmative action. Governments have the money to hire the expertise to foolproof question papers and the exam process. If they cannot heed the level of protests as seen in New Delhi and Ranchi, they will be doomed in their avocation as career politicians.