Bhubaneswar: Student organisations and the youth wings of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday staged separate protests in Bhubaneswar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and condemning the alleged police action against students during the recent ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in New Delhi.
Members of the Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) assembled at Master Canteen Square, carrying copies of the Constitution and placards demanding Pradhan’s resignation. They accused the Centre of failing to ensure transparency in the conduct of the medical entrance examination and demanded accountability over the controversy.
Chandabali MLA Byomakesh Ray said the alleged paper leak had triggered protests across the country and claimed that similar demonstrations had also taken place abroad. He alleged that students protesting at Jantar Mantar and during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in Delhi were subjected to police excesses.
“Students have been protesting against the alleged NEET-UG paper leak across the country. The way the Delhi Police allegedly handled the protesters during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march was unacceptable. On moral grounds, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, should resign,” Ray said.
Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Chinmaya Sahu questioned the Centre’s accountability over the examination controversy and condemned the alleged assault on students.
“Innocent students were brutally attacked in Delhi. We strongly condemn the incident. Allegations of repeated paper leaks have raised serious concerns about the credibility of the examination system. If ministers claim credit for success, they must also take responsibility when such failures occur,” Sahu said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ipsita Sahoo said the students’ agitation was aimed at protecting the future of aspirants and should not be viewed through a political lens.
“The students who participated in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march had no political or personal agenda. Their only demand was a fair and transparent examination system and justice for students affected by the alleged paper leak,” she said.
Meanwhile, members of the Odisha unit of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) staged a separate demonstration at Lower PMG, condemning the alleged use of force against students in Delhi and urging the Centre to engage in dialogue with the protesters.
“Instead of listening to the concerns of students protesting against the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, the authorities allegedly resorted to police action. We condemn the incident and urge the government to hold discussions with the protesters. If their demands continue to be ignored, the agitation will intensify,” an AIDSO member said.
The protests in Bhubaneswar came days after clashes reportedly broke out during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in New Delhi, where students and activists demanded action over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and broader reforms to the country’s examination system.
With protests spreading to Odisha, student organisations and political youth wings have stepped up pressure on the Centre, demanding accountability for the examination controversy and calling for the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
