Educational institutions across Telangana remained closed on Friday, as state-level protests called by student organizations disrupted academic activities in protest against alleged NEET-UG question paper leak, repeated irregularities in national-level entrance examinations and the Centre’s handling of the education system.
The demonstrators also condemned the alleged police charges against students who demonstrated in New Delhi over the examination controversy.
This movement, supported by a broad coalition of student and youth organizations, led to the closure of schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities across the state. Several universities also postponed exams scheduled for today.
The closure was called by the National Students Union of India (NSUI), All India Students Federation (SFI), All India Students Federation (AISF), Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), All India Forum for Democratic Students (AIFDS), All India Students Bloc (AISB), All India Progressive Students Union (AIPSU), All India Students Association (AISA), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), All India Youth Federation (AIYF) and Islamic Organization of Students. (SIO).
“We demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, as he is morally responsible for leakage of NEET papers and successive failures in conducting public examinations,” said Buta Laxman, state secretary, IMF.
He also sought to impose strict penalties on those involved in the alleged leak of papers, withdraw cases registered against the protesting students, and take measures to restore transparency and credibility in the country’s examination system.
NSUI state president Yadavali Venkataswamy said the demonstration was inclusive and peaceful.
“We want exemplary punishment for those responsible for the alleged NEET paper leak, and $“Rs 1 crore as ex-gratia to the families of the students who allegedly died by suicide after the examination controversy,” he said.
The bandh had a widespread impact across Hyderabad and other areas. Many public and private schools declared a holiday in anticipation of the protests.
The majority of the around 3,500 private schools within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits remain closed, said Telangana Recognized Private Schools Association President S N Reddy. Private preparatory colleges and degree colleges also suspended classes.
Institutions of higher education were similarly affected. Osmania University, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) and Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences have postponed all examinations scheduled for Friday, saying revised dates will be announced later.
The unrest also attracted political support, with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Congress holding separate protests.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao participated in a demonstration organized by the party’s student wing at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park.
“Students across the country are frustrated not only over the alleged question paper leak but also over the failure to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of 2 crore jobs annually,” KTR said.
Security personnel were accused of using excessive force against demonstrators, including women, during demonstrations in New Delhi on July 20.
“We demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and withdrawal of the cases against the protesting youth,” he said.
The Congress also organized demonstrations in Hyderabad. State Congress working president M Anjan Kumar Yadav led a march from MLA Quarters in Adarsh Nagar towards Indira Gandhi statue on Necklace Road.
He and hundreds of party workers later tried to march towards Dharna Chowk, but were stopped and detained by police before the march could go ahead.
