Blurb
Students in Shivamogga demand Education Minister resignation over alleged NEET irregularities, staging protest and calling for cancellation of NEET and CET implementation.
Shivamogga
A large group of students, under the leadership of the NSUI district unit, staged a massive protest march in Shivamogga demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him morally responsible for alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Students from various colleges participated in the demonstration, raising slogans calling for the cancellation of NEET and the implementation of CET as an alternative admission system. The protestors marched in two separate rallies from Science Ground and the Bus Stand, converging at Gopi Circle, where they continued their agitation against the central government.
At the public meeting held after the march, students and Congress leaders strongly criticized the alleged NEET paper leak incidents. They demanded immediate accountability from the Union Education Minister and insisted that he step down from his post. Speakers alleged that repeated examination irregularities have undermined student trust and jeopardized their future.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary N Ramesh claimed that there have been multiple NEET question paper leak incidents during the BJP-led government’s tenure at the Centre. He questioned the government’s ability to conduct fair examinations and accused it of failing students across the country.
Former NSUI national president B V Srinivas, addressing the gathering via phone from Delhi, intensified the criticism, referring to the minister as “Leak Pradhan” and announcing a nationwide protest campaign until his resignation is secured.
Legislator Balkish Banu accused the central government of playing with the future of students from poor and middle-class backgrounds. Other Congress leaders echoed similar sentiments, alleging administrative failure and negligence in handling national examinations.
Former MP Ayanur Manjunath and other leaders also addressed the gathering, criticizing the central government’s examination system. They alleged widespread corruption and mismanagement in conducting competitive exams.
The protest concluded with leaders reiterating their demand for resignation and reforms in the national examination system, stating that the agitation would continue until justice is delivered to students.
