New Delhi: Student protests against the NEET paper leak are being witnessed across the country. In major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Patna, students have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A planned protest demonstration by students at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, the capital of Bihar, escalated significantly.
Stone-pelting occurred during the event, leaving several protesters injured. Students threw stones at police personnel, and reports indicate that some officers also sustained injuries. Students also created a major ruckus in other Bihar cities like Bhagalpur and Chhapra. Police have detained several students to bring the situation under control. Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had arrived to support the students, was also detained by the police.
Students take to the streets in Aurangabad
A large number of students also took to the streets in Aurangabad, Bihar. On Saturday, a large crowd of students was seen protesting at the city’s Ramesh Chowk, where they vociferously voiced their demands.
Demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the protesters stated that the paper leak incident has jeopardised the future of lakhs of youths. Furthermore, the students demanded that the government make the examination system transparent, take strict action against the guilty, and ensure the security of the youth’s future.
Tej Pratap detained by police
Students have staged massive protests in several cities, including the Bihar capital, Patna. Activists from Left-wing student organisations and other students have been continuously attempting to reach Gandhi Maidan. Although the police were trying to stop them before they could reach the grounds, some students managed to break through the police cordon and get there. Amidst this, Tej Pratap Yadav, who had joined the protest, was detained by the police.
Several students were also detained at the scene. Police transported the detained students to various locations using vehicles. Throughout the event, the protesting students maintained that they wished to demonstrate peacefully regarding their demands. They also raised slogans against the government while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Ready to lay down my life for the youth – Tej Pratap Yadav
Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, also arrived at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan to support the students. He was detained by the police there. Following his detention, Tej Pratap Yadav appeared visibly angry. He stated that he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the youth in their struggle.
He affirmed, “We stand with our youth; I am even ready to lay down my life for their cause.” Political tensions have escalated following Tej Pratap Yadav’s detention. The opposition has questioned the police action, while the administration maintains that these measures were taken to uphold law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.
