Sat, 04 January 2025 03:55:24pm
Chaos and Controversy: UGC-NET Cancellation Sparks Protests - Students Detained
Chaos and Controversy: UGC-NET Cancellation Sparks Protests - Students Detained
In an explosive turn of events, the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination has ignited widespread outrage, culminating in the detention of dozens of protesting students in New Delhi. The students, representing various universities and political outfits, gathered to voice their grievances outside the Ministry of Education and the residence of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The streets of central Delhi were charged with tension as over two dozen students were detained on Thursday while protesting the sudden cancellation of the UGC-NET exam. This drastic measure was taken by the Union Education Ministry following alarming reports of the exam's integrity being compromised. The students, led by groups such as the Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students Association (AISA), and the Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI), demanded accountability and transparency.
Key Points:
- Protest Details: Dozens of students detained during protests in New Delhi against UGC-NET cancellation and NEET irregularities.
- Key Locations: Protests held outside the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's residence.
- Organizing Groups: Involvement of student organizations like SFI, AISA, DSF, KYS, and NSUI.
- Primary Demands: Ban on National Testing Agency (NTA), investigation into paper leaks, and resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Police Response: Allegations of police brutality and manhandling of students, including female protesters, leading to widespread condemnation.
- Government Action: UGC-NET cancellation ordered due to compromised exam integrity.
Voices of Protest
The protesters were vocal about their frustrations with the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exams. "We have seen massive discrepancies in the NEET-UG results declared on June 4. NEET aspirants have been demanding a re-exam, but the NTA and the Ministry of Education have not responded," stated a representative from AISA’s JNU unit.
The anger and desperation among students were palpable. "The NTA has failed students time and again. We demand a complete scrapping of the NTA," echoed the protesters.
Allegations of Police Brutality
The protest turned chaotic as students claimed they were manhandled by the police. "Female students were heckled and manhandled brutally," alleged the SFI. The Democratic Students' Front (DSF) also condemned the police action, stating, "Instead of addressing the concerns of the students and holding the NTA accountable, the Delhi Police brutally attacked and detained several students, including JNUSU representatives."
Demand for Accountability
The students' demands went beyond the immediate issue of the exam cancellation. They called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of corruption and mishandling the examination processes. During a particularly dramatic moment in the protest, NSUI national president Varun Choudhary flung a bag full of counterfeit currency in the air, symbolizing the alleged corruption within the system.
In Case you missed:
Shocking Exam Scandal: UGC-NET June 2024 Cancelled Amid Cheating Allegations
A Call for Change
As the protests continue to reverberate, the message from the students is clear: they are demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged paper leaks and irregularities, and they are not willing to back down until their voices are heard and their demands met.
The unfolding situation places a spotlight on the integrity of India’s examination systems and raises critical questions about accountability and governance within the education sector.
100s of students led by SFI Delhi protested infront of the MoE against discrepancies found in the UGC NET exam & its subsequent cancellation. Common students who joined the protest were attacked by the Delhi police. Female students were heckled and manhandled brutally. pic.twitter.com/BGspnI0kQC
— SFI Delhi (@SfiDelhi) June 20, 2024
