Tura, July 21: Hundreds of students, artists and citizens gathered in Tura on Tuesday evening for a candlelight vigil expressing solidarity with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and demanding accountability over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.

The vigil, held near the 30th September Memorial Cenotaph at Chandmary, was organised by the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Central Executive Committee, in collaboration with the Artist Society, Post Graduate Students’ Union, NEHU (PGSU) and the Tura Government College Students’ Union.

Held under the themes “Garo Hills Stands with Sonam Wangchuk” and “Accountability for Apathy,” the programme called for peaceful civic engagement, transparency and institutional accountability.

Participants held placards carrying messages such as “Questioning the Ruling Authorities Is Our Constitutional Right,” “If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?” “We Cannot Remain Silent Today and Become Mourners Tomorrow,” and “We Condemn the Brutal Act of Delhi Police.”

The organisers said the vigil reflected Wangchuk’s advocacy of peaceful dialogue and non-violent public participation, urging authorities to listen to citizens raising concerns through democratic means.

The GSU maintained that the event was strictly non-political and instructed participants not to carry political party flags or banners. Organisers also appealed to attendees to use eco-friendly placards and ensure the venue was left clean after the programme.

The vigil comes amid growing protests in different parts of the country over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and calls for greater transparency and accountability in the conduct of national entrance tests.