Protesters sought a Karnataka-based admission system reflecting local needs, saying the demand supports equal opportunities without compromising merit for medical aspirants
BENGALURU
A peaceful protest was held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru under the banner of Namma Nadu Namma Aalvike, demanding the removal of the NEET examination system and restoration of Karnataka CET for medical admissions under the state quota.
Students, parents, education activists and citizens participated in the demonstration, calling for a fair and transparent admission process. The protesters said the current NEET system creates difficulties for many rural, Kannada-medium and economically weaker students.
They urged authorities to consider a state-based admission method that understands the educational conditions and needs of Karnataka students. The participants said their demand was not against merit but aimed at creating equal opportunities for aspiring medical students.
Representatives of Namma Nadu Namma Aalvike said education should remain accessible to every student and Karnataka should have a role in deciding admissions for its state medical seats. They stated that a fair system should support students from different backgrounds while maintaining transparency and quality in medical education.
As part of the campaign, the organisation launched an online petition seeking the abolition of NEET and restoration of Karnataka CET for MBBS and BDS admissions. The group appealed to students, parents, teachers, doctors and citizens to support the movement. Organisers said they would continue raising the issue through peaceful democratic methods and requested both state and central governments to discuss the concerns of students and stakeholders.
The campaign highlighted the slogan “Our State. Our Students. Our Medical Admissions” and called for a system that focuses on fairness, accessibility and the educational interests of Karnataka’s youth.
Key demands of the protest
- Abolish the mandatory NEET examination for Karnataka State medical admissions.
- Restore Karnataka CET as the entrance examination for State Quota MBBS and BDS seats.
- Ensure equal opportunities for students from rural, government school, Kannada-medium, and economically weaker backgrounds.
- Respect the constitutional role of States in determining their own medical admission process.
- Establish a transparent, merit-based, and student-friendly admission system.
