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Student Protest: Azadi to Sadda Haq, songs that are back in the spotlight
Updated On: 24 July, 2026 05:16 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves
As the students' protests across the country continue to escalate, several songs, both old and new, have gained momentum as they resonate with the protestors' sentiments. From being played on speakers and protestors singing them out loud to being used on social media to spread the message, these songs are going viral amid the protests.

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Wahin Ka Wahin - Lifafa
Wahin Ka Wahin is an atmospheric, socio-political commentary song by Lifafa. The lyrics, challenging societal norms, authoritarianism, and the status quo, are striking a chord with the protestors.

Jaago - Lifafa
Jaago is a powerful, hypnotic rallying cry with vintage synth-pop and electronic beats. Literally and figuratively meaning 'awakening', the song addresses the heavy, complex feelings of socio-political helplessness, cultural stagnancy, and existential anxiety felt by the country's youth

Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe - Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam
Sung by Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Roop Kumar Rathod, Vijay Prakash, and Kunal Ganjawala, this highly motivational patriotic song from the 2004 film captures the feelings of determination, brotherhood, and the relentless spirit of Indian soldiers heading together on the battlefield.

Azadi - Divine, Dub Sharma
One of the most viral songs during the protests is Divine and Dub Sharma's Azadi, a powerful hip-hop track which also featured in the movie Gully Boy (2019). The track is a fierce political anthem, addressing socio-economic inequality, corruption, and the youth's demand for freedom from systemic oppression.

Sadda Haq - Mohit Chauhan
This iconic rock song, composed by AR Rahman, has over the years become a massive youth anthem across India for its raw energy, rebellious theme, and powerful music.

Chak De India - Sukhwinder Singh, Salim Merchant
The the iconic, high-energy title track from SRK's sports drama Chak De India (2007), is often considered India's ultimate sports anthem. With Sukhwinder Singh's explosive vocals, the song perfectly mirrors the themes of resilience, teamwork, and national pride.

Aashayein - KK, Salim Merchant
This uplifting anthem from the acclaimed sports drama film Iqbal (2005), is widely celebrated for its deeply motivational lyrics and is a go-to song inspiration for overcoming life's hurdles.

Rang De Basanti - Daler Mehendi, Chitra
This high-octane title track from the political drama film Rang De Basanti (2006) is universally recognised for its unique blend of traditional Punjabi folk energy with modern rhythms as it celebrates a fearless, rebellious spirit.

Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera - AR Rahman
This deeply moving patriotic masterpiece from the social drama film Swades (2004), captures the feeling of nostalgia, roots, and the irresistible pull of one's homeland.

Dhakkad - Raftaar
Dhaakad is the high-octane, empowering anthem from the sports drama film Dangal (2016). The song has especially gained momentum among the female protestors for celebrating female empowerment and breaking gender stereotypes.

Playing Dangerous - Lana Del Rey
Interestingly, this song is one of the singer's most famous unreleased tracks. It was leaked online in August 2012 and quickly became a cult favourite. Her famous lines, "Everybody knows that I'm a good girl, officer," in the campy, sultry pulp-noir story track is especially going viral amid the protests.

Boom Shaka - Krsna and Dhanda Nyoliwala
The song revolves around street credibility, maintaining a dominant status, and overriding critics and haters.
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