NEET Paper Leak Protest Reaches Jammu; Students Demand Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

JAMMU, Jul 24: The nationwide protest over the alleged NEET paper leak reached Jammu on Friday, with students and members of civil society staging a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protesters called for a fair and transparent investigation into the alleged examination irregularities, alleging that the controversy had put the future of lakhs of students at risk. They also raised slogans against the Centre, seeking accountability and reforms in the examination system. Addressing reporters, several students condemned the police action against demonstrators at Jantar Mantar and said they had gathered in Jammu to support the nationwide movement. “We are here in solidarity with those protesting at Jantar Mantar. We condemn the alleged police brutality. We are not terrorists; we are the future of this country,” one of the students said. The demonstrators stressed that the protest in Jammu was peaceful and would continue until their demands were met. Another protester described the agitation as part of a larger nationwide campaign seeking reforms in the education system and reiterated the demand for the resignation of the Union Education Minister. “This is a peaceful movement. Students, youth and members of civil society in Jammu stand with protesters across the country. The alleged NEET paper leak has caused immense distress to students, and we will continue to raise our voice through democratic and peaceful means,” the protester said. The protesters also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take concrete action, stating that assurances alone were insufficient and reiterating their demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The demonstrators said they would continue their peaceful agitation until their demands were addressed.