Aizawl: Hundreds of students from various institutions and schools in Mizoram’s Aizawl staged a massive peaceful demonstration in the state capital on Wednesday.
They gathered to express solidarity with their fellow students and peers in Delhi, who are currently protesting against repeated NEET paper leaks.
During the demonstration held in front of Vanapa Hall, the protesters raised slogans demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the repeated NEET paper leaks.
They also demanded stringent punishment for the wrongdoers, as well as justice and compensation for students who had been affected by examination irregularities.
Thousands of people gathered near Parliament in the national capital on Monday, on the first day of the Monsoon Session, to demand the resignation of Pradhan over the NEET paper leaks. They clashed with police personnel.
The protesters in Aizawl also demanded stringent punishment for the wrongdoers and sought justice and compensation for students who had been affected by the paper leaks.
Expressing solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk in his fight for students’ rights, the protesting students strongly blamed the BJP-led NDA government for allegedly infringing on their rights and jeopardising their careers.
They also chanted slogans such as “Modi ko hatao, desh bachao,” “We want freedom from poverty, we want freedom from unemployment,” and “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long live the revolution), among others.
Apart from indigenous Mizo students, several non-Mizo students also took part in the protest.
Meanwhile, several parties and groups, including the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), extended support to the students for their efforts to safeguard their rights.
A statement issued by ZPM media and publicity chairman B. Lalchhanzova said the party stood firmly with the students in their fight against the alleged irregularities and paper leaks.
Lalchhanzova, who is also a Minister of State in the present government, said the alleged leakage of NEET question papers in recent years had caused widespread hardship to students across India, including those from Mizoram competing for admission to professional courses.
The ZPM leader said the party was concerned about the loss of time and money suffered by students and the psychological stress caused by repeated allegations of paper leaks.
He said the party empathised with students and their parents and supported the students’ peaceful and disciplined fight for their legitimate rights.
The MNF said the students were justified in opposing any attempt to undermine their rightful opportunities through the abuse of power.
The party also commended the protesters for raising their voices on behalf of those allegedly affected by the irregularities.
The MNF, an ally of the NDA at the Centre, said the large turnout reflected the youth’s opposition to corruption and the misuse of authority, adding that their demand for punishment of the wrongdoers and justice for the victims was legitimate.
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Mizoram, also said it strongly supported the students in their demands for the resignation of the Union Education Minister, Rs 1 crore in compensation for the families of paper leak victims, and reforms to the country’s education system.
Mizoram’s apex student organisation, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), has also announced an anti-paper leak protest to be held on Thursday.