HYDERABAD: Students and activists launched hunger strikes at multiple locations across Telangana on Thursday, condemning the police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over irregularities in the NEET examination and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Protests were held at Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad, Osmania University and Satavahana University in Karimnagar, drawing support from student organisations, women’s groups, transgender persons, activists and senior citizens.
According to the organisers, nearly 500 students participated in the protest at Dharna Chowk, with several joining the hunger strike. Senior citizens and representatives of women’s organisations were also present. “We are supporting this protest because this is not just about one examination. Students spend years preparing for competitive examinations, and they should be able to trust the system conducting them. If there are serious allegations of irregularities, there must be accountability and a transparent investigation,” said a student participating in the protest.
Another student said the demonstrations would continue until the concerns raised by them were addressed. “Students protesting peacefully should be heard, not subjected to force. We want an examination system in which merit is protected and every student gets a fair opportunity.”
Social activist Prof Rama Melkote addressed the gathering at Dharna Chowk and condemned the alleged attack on protesting students in Delhi. She said the determination displayed by the students was encouraging and recalled the role played by student movements across the world in bringing about political and social change. Independent journalist and social activist K Sajaya and singer Chinmayi Sripaada also visited the protest venue and expressed solidarity with the students.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) student wing launched indefinite hunger strikes at Osmania University in Hyderabad and Satavahana University in Karimnagar, protesting the police repression of students demonstrating in Delhi over the NEET question paper leak.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Pradhan, holding him responsible for the question paper leak. They also sought action against police personnel over the handling of the Delhi demonstrations and demanded justice for 21 students who they said had died by suicide following the leak.
At Satavahana University, student leaders said the indefinite hunger strike would continue until the Union government responded to their demands.