4 min readNew DelhiJun 28, 2024 03:23 AM IST
First published on: Jun 27, 2024 at 01:58 PM IST
Police lathicharged members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protesting against the National Testing Agency (NTA) at central Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, leading to a sudden escalation on Thursday afternoon.
There was a stampede-like situation when a few from among the protestors climbed a water tanker at the site. After several warnings to demonstrators to stand down, police resorted to a lathicharge, alleging that they were attempting to jump barricades.
Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration by several student organisations including All India Students Association (AISA), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), Disha and Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BsCEM) continued at the site and later in the evening. The student bodies had started their indefinite strike at the venue on Wednesday when they were detained by the police.
The main demands of the demonstrators included the scrapping of NTA, the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and calling for re-conducting the NEET for all.
Donkeys were also sighted at the protest demonstration by the IYC bearing placards such as āāDr.gadhaā (Dr.donkey)ā, āModi hai toh mumkin hain, abki baar 719 (If Modi is there, then 719 is possible)ā among others.
Vikas Yadav, IYC national chairman who led the demonstration, said, āHundreds of our protestors have been detained and are at different police stations. Our President was also arrestedā¦With regard to the continuation of protests we will hold discussion after the release of our members and after that decide the next move.ā
Shivangi Mishra,18, the main petitioner for a plea filed in the Supreme Court on June 1 over the alleged NEET exam paper leaks along with nine other NEET aspirants who sat for her second attempt this year, said things would only become clear by the end of the month.
It would only be after on June 30, when the results of the 813 students who reappeared for the NEET-UG examinations will be announced, she said, that assessing the co-relation of rank inflation and grace marks would become clear. āWhat was the point of releasing the results earlyā¦why was not the NEET-UG examination cancelled even after the exam paper leak allegations?ā she asked. Anjali, 23, a postgraduate student in Delhi University hailing from Bihar, gave her second attempt in the NET examination this year and was present at the protest site.
She said, āNET was the main hope in my fight for freedom and financial independence. The first response I got from family after the integrity of the NTA was questioned was to come back home which indirectly signalled a dead-end for my education. Now, I have nothing to show to them and they have also lost the trust in system.ā
She claimed that she has not missed a single protest in the city by the student organisations since the protests erupted across the country over alleged irregularities.
Anjali explained, āWe have nowhere to go. Our future is in darknessā¦ I am even considering to go for law studies. I have participated in an indefinite protest since yesterday for the NTA to be immediately scrapped also for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan who has proved to be so incompetent.ā
Meanwhile, activists of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) also barged in the NTA office, raising slogans calling for its closure.
The Delhi Police said a case had been registered in the matter against these students under various sections, including obstructing a public servant, assaulting a public servant and tresspassing among others.
An NSUI activist holds a placard during āChhattra Sansad Gheravā protest at Jantar Mantar against the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and cancellation of UGC-NET exams, in New Delhi. (PTI) 
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