Congress party stages agitation in Pune against NEET paper leak

Pune: The Congress party on Sunday staged a protest in Shivajinagar against the alleged NEET paper leak and mismanagement of examinations by the CBSE. Members of the party’s youth wing took out a Mashal Morcha (torch march), which began at Congress House and concluded at Balgandharva Chowk.

“The future of aspiring doctors is in the dark due to the exam paper leak. The education minister and the ruling govt have failed to address the issue. The education minister should resign,” said Udaybhanu Chib, national president of the Youth Congress.

He said the alleged leak had not only affected students but had also caused immense distress to their families. Chib added that the party would continue its agitation until the govt acted on its demands.

According to the protesters, the torch march symbolised the need to bring hope and justice to students affected by irregularities in the examination process. Demonstrators raised slogans against the govt and the education minister during the march.

The protesters also alleged that the controversy surrounding the examination had pushed some students into severe distress, with even reports of student suicides.

“The govt and the education department are responsible for the mismanagement that has plagued the examination system. Students have suffered significant mental stress because of these issues,” said Akshay Jain, a Congress leader who participated in the agitation.

Police officials said adequate security arrangements were made to ensure the protest remained peaceful.