The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), organised a protest in Shimla on July 23, demanding accountability from the Union government regarding the NEET paper leak. The protest coincides with ongoing student-led demonstrations which seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Vijendra Mehra, President of CITU Himachal Pradesh, accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to stifle the students’ movements. He asserted the need for the government to acknowledge its responsibility in the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET examination.

Mehra stated that the protests had garnered support from multiple democratic and mass organisations, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Himachal Kisan Sabha (HKS). He emphasised the urgency of addressing the students’ demands for justice over alleged examination irregularities and the civil rights of peaceful protestors.

Public Participation Surges Amid Protests

During the protest in Shimla, Mehra highlighted that the gathering was notable for its diverse participation, which included groups such as the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), among others. The presence of these organisations reflected widespread public anger towards the NEET incident and the government’s response.

Mehra claimed that over 152 examination paper leaks have occurred across the country in the last decade. He reported that after the NEET controversy, students nationwide initiated protests, with some engaging in indefinite hunger strikes at locations such as Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

According to Mehra, police action taken against protestors in Delhi included tear gas usage, baton charges, and detentions. He alleged that individuals associated with the BJP and RSS had infiltrated these protests dressed in civilian attire, aiming to disrupt the demonstrations. Similar interruptions were purportedly witnessed in Shimla as well, according to the CITU leader.

Violence Reported During Protests

In relation to unrest during the Shimla protests, Mehra alleged that BJP and RSS members attempted to disrupt proceedings, resulting in physical confrontation and injuries to female students. An FIR has been filed in connection with these incidents.

Mehra described the protest on July 23 as the largest since the onset of these movements, signalling a significant rise in public sentiment surrounding the issues at hand. He expressed surprise at the turnout, stating it revealed escalating frustration among both students and the community.

Mehra called for the Himachal Pradesh government to ensure safety for those participating in peaceful demonstrations. He urged citizens to actively join the movement for a transparent educational system and hold the government accountable.

The students’ continuous protest at Jantar Mantar, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has been ongoing for nearly a month, demanding structural reforms in the examination system and Pradhan’s resignation. Following a violent march to Parliament on July 20, Delhi Police registered five FIRs related to stone-pelting and unlawful assembly. Reports indicate that over 118 police officers were injured during the clashes, with around 60 protestors also hurt. Investigations into the events are currently underway, with authorities reviewing surveillance footage and social media to ascertain the extent of mobilisation prior to the violence.

The backdrop to these demonstrations lies in the NEET-UG medical exam question paper leak reported on May 3, which led the government to cancel the examination and conduct a re-test on June 21.

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