The abrupt cancellation of the UGC-NET examination has ignited a wave of protests across the capital, with students from various universities voicing their outrage. The Ministry of Education's last-minute decision, prompted by concerns over the exam's integrity, has left many students in disarray. The cancellation followed reports of significant irregularities in the NEET, leading to widespread calls for accountability.
The protests, which saw the participation of prominent student organizations such as the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students Association (AISA), quickly escalated outside the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's residence. Demonstrators demanded the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and a thorough investigation into the alleged paper leak. Despite the peaceful intent, the protests were met with a heavy police presence, resulting in the detention of several students, including representatives from JNUSU.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela
Students voiced their frustrations, stating that the NTA has repeatedly failed to conduct examinations with integrity. "We have seen massive discrepancies on the result of NEET-UG declared on 4 June. NEET aspirants have been demanding a re-exam. However, the NTA and the MoE have not responded to their demands," said an AISA representative from JNU. The protestors highlighted that female students were particularly mistreated during the police intervention.
The Union Education Ministry ordered the UGC-NET cancellation late Wednesday night following inputs regarding the exam's compromised integrity. Students, including members of SFI, AISA, DSF, KYS, and NSUI, demanded immediate reforms and accountability from the NTA. The police, however, refuted the allegations of manhandling and claimed the protest lacked proper permissions for the high-security area, which remains under section 144.
The protest also saw participation from the National Students' Union of India, with its national president Varun Choudhary making a dramatic gesture by flinging a bag full of counterfeit currency into the air, demanding an urgent probe into the matter. The students called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmender Pradhan over alleged corruption and mishandling of the examination process.