Bhubaneswar: The controversy over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) echoed in Odisha on Monday, with students, political groups and civil society organisations staging a protest at PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, demanding accountability from the Centre and the resignation of Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protesters expressed solidarity with climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk and students who have been demonstrating in New Delhi, alleging that repeated examination irregularities, paper leaks and administrative failures have eroded the credibility of the country’s education system.
Carrying placards and raising slogans, students from different age groups took part in the demonstration, voicing concerns over the future of aspirants. The posters displayed messages such as “The education system is collapsing”, “Go Pradhan Go!”, “NEET-ly scammed” and other slogans questioning the handling of the examination process.
The protesters alleged that the NEET paper leak controversy and other irregularities had caused immense distress among students who spend years preparing for competitive examinations. They accused the government of failing to ensure a fair and transparent system and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Several speakers at the protest claimed that many students had suffered because of the controversy and alleged that the government had failed to address their concerns. They also demanded greater transparency in the examination process and the implementation of measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
BJD leader Manmath Routray, who participated in the protest, criticised the Centre over the action taken against Sonam Wangchuk during his demonstration in New Delhi.
“Government officials in civil dress behaved worse than the British by forcibly removing Wangchuk, who was observing a peaceful hunger strike at Jantar Mantar following Gandhian principles,” Routray alleged.
He said the protest was not only about Wangchuk but also about the larger concerns of students across the country.
“We are here not only for Wangchuk but for the larger cause of students. Every Indian should join hands in support of this cause,” Routray said.
A student participating in the protest said the issue had gone beyond political boundaries and was about protecting the interests of young people.
“My father is a BJP and RSS member, but I have argued with him over this issue. If I can question my own family, how can I remain silent when it comes to the government?” the student said.
Another female student said the protest was aimed at demanding accountability and transparency in governance.
“We are not only here to protest against the NEET scam; we are here to save the deteriorating democracy of our country and demand accountability and transparency from the government. Due to such scams, we have lost many students, future doctors and talented minds. India has lost many bright futures because of these failures,” she said.
