Bengaluru Students Rally in Support of Delhi Protesters Over NEET Controversy
Students and activists gather at Freedom Park, calling for accountability, education reforms and justice for protesters in Delhi.
Hundreds of students, activists and supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Monday to express solidarity with protesters in Delhi who were stopped while marching towards Parliament. The Delhi demonstrators have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The protest, organised by the All India Students’ Association, also voiced support for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was taken into police custody while observing a hunger strike in support of students seeking reforms in the education system.
Demonstrators carried placards calling for accountability and justice while criticising the police action against protesters in the national capital.
Many participants said they decided to join the Bengaluru protest after watching videos on social media that appeared to show the use of tear gas, water cannons and baton charges against demonstrators in Delhi.
Among those present was lawyer turned stand up comedian Arnab, who said he had also participated in the previous day’s protest. He said citizens across the country should speak up and demand accountability, adding that widespread public participation would help keep attention on the issue.
Another participant, Shreya, said one of her friends who attended the Delhi protest was affected by tear gas and suffered ankle injuries during the police action. She said the incident strengthened her resolve to join the demonstration and raise her voice against what she described as injustice.
Development education practitioner Dr Niranjan Raja said the movement was about more than seeking the resignation of the Education Minister. According to him, the protests highlighted the need for wider reforms to improve and protect India’s education system.
He also criticised the police response in Delhi, alleging that it violated the constitutional rights of peaceful protesters and was inconsistent with democratic values.
The demonstration continued into the evening, with participants raising slogans and demanding accountability over the handling of the Delhi protests, greater transparency regarding Sonam Wangchuk’s condition, and long term reforms to India’s education system.