Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Jun: The NEET paper leak controversy today triggered strong protests in Dehradun and NSUI workers staged a demonstration here today. They were demanding resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Led by the organisation’s national president Vinod Jakhar, the protesters attempted to march towards the Secretariat but were stopped by police at Subhash Road with barricades. Heated arguments broke out between the police and demonstrators, leading to scuffles, and some protesters climbed over the barricades shouting slogans against the government. Police resorted to water cannons to disperse them, but the protesters continued their agitation.
Senior Congress leaders Harish Rawat, Congress election management committee chairman Harak Singh Rawat and campaign committee chairman Pritam Singh also joined the protest in support of the students. As the situation escalated, police detained several NSUI workers along with Pritam Singh and took them to the police lines.
Congress leaders and student activists alleged that the examination system across the country has come under suspicion, with papers being leaked even before they are conducted, and accused BJP‑linked individuals of collusion. They argued that the Education Minister has no moral right to remain in office when such serious allegations are being raised, yet no BJP leader has come forward to explain the situation.
The Congress leaders further claimed that hundreds of students across the country have fallen victim to paper leaks and some have even committed suicide, but no government representative has visited their families or offered help. They alleged that the government’s silence and indifference indicate involvement of BJP members in the scandal and said the party is trying to shield them. Congress leaders declared that they will continue their agitation until the Education Minister resigns, even if it means going behind bars.
NSUI also announced that while they attempted to gherao the Uttarakhand Secretariat today, they will also march to the residence of Dharmendra Pradhan in the future if needed to press for his resignation.
