SHILLONG, JUL 24: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Friday staged demonstrations across educational institutions in Meghalaya in solidarity with the ongoing protest in New Delhi demanding transparency in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protests were held at NEHU Shillong, USTM and RIST in Ri-Bhoi, NEIAH Shillong, and MGU in Ri-Bhoi, as part of the union’s state-wide response to the issue.
As a mark of condolence for 20 students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET question paper leak, KSU units observed a one-minute silence and held candlelight vigils.
The union said the gesture was to express sympathy with families who lost their children and siblings.
“KSU through its Delhi unit has also joined and extended support to the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar,” a KSU statement said.
The union strongly condemned the police action against students during a peaceful protest in New Delhi on July 20.
It cited the use of lathi charge, tear gas, and alleged assault by persons in police uniform carrying lathis against students who offered no resistance.
“Such actions are a clear violation of the basic principles of democracy, the Rule of Law, and the rights guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) and Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution of India,” KSU said, adding that the response reflected an “authoritarian nature” of the government.
The union criticized the Centre for its “failure to show empathy and lack of accountability” on an issue affecting lakhs of students and aspirants nationwide. It said instead of dialogue, authorities chose “force and intimidation.”
KSU listed the students’ demands as legitimate and urgent, including action against repeated competitive exam paper leaks and measures to ensure transparency, accountability, fairness and integrity in recruitment and examination processes.
“The hard work, aspirations and future of lakhs of students cannot be allowed to be ruined due to mismanagement, corruption or lack of accountability on the part of those in authority,” it stated.
The union expressed solidarity with all affected students and conveyed sympathy to those injured in the Delhi protest, hoping for their “speedy and complete recovery.”
KSU urged the government of India to immediately fulfill the students’ demands and to ensure such incidents do not recur.
It added that it would continue to support the protest and push for reforms in the country’s education system.
“As a union founded on the principle of promoting education and fighting for proper education in the state, we will continue to uphold that principle,” the statement concluded.
