Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Protesters across Assam are taking to the streets to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Demonstrators in Tinsukia, Goalpara, and Guwahati claim the NEET-UG examination process is broken. Corruption is ruining student lives. The agitation seeks accountability for alleged paper leaks and systemic negligence.
In Tinsukia, students rallied at Thana Charali on Tuesday to demand a transparent investigation. They cited the recent police crackdown on students at Jantar Mantar as a failure of democracy. One protester stated, "The assault on students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi is a matter of shame for Indian democracy. We still have a chance to wake up; we have to change this government." Another student added, "We are labelled as anti-nationals when we ask questions. We want the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan."
The situation turned grim in Goalpara. Students there linked the examination controversy to the death of Rima Begum, a student from Krishnai who died by suicide on June 8. Protesters argued these deaths stem from administrative failures rather than personal despair. District officials eventually shut down the Goalpara demonstration, citing a lack of prior permits. Students claim administrative delays caused the permit backlog.
Guwahati saw the largest turnout on Thursday. More than 10,000 people gathered at Chachal under the Cockroach Janta Party banner. They backed activist Sonam Wangchuk, who currently remains on a hunger strike after police removed him from the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi last Saturday. The Guwahati crowd demanded education reform and condemned the lathi-charge against protesters during the recent Chalo Sansad march toward Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the nationwide outcry on Thursday. He announced plans for fast-track courts to handle paper leak cases and promised strict punishment for guilty parties. He stated on X that nothing is more important than the welfare of the youth. Despite this, students and organizations across the state remain focused on their core demands for transparency and the immediate removal of the Education Minister.
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