Karnataka Rajya Dalitha Sangharsha Samiti protests NEET irregularities, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

Published 23 July 2026 · local

Members of the Karnataka Rajya Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi (KRDSS) staged a demonstration at Jagat Circle in Kalaburagi on Thursday condemning the irregularities in the NEET

Members of the Karnataka Rajya Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi (KRDSS) staged a demonstration at Jagat Circle in Kalaburagi on Thursday condemning the irregularities in the NEET examination and the police action against students protesting in New Delhi over the question paper leak. They demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protesters later submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Deputy Commissioner. Addressing the demonstrators, KRDSS State convener D.G. Sagar said democratic protests should be viewed as opportunities to improve governance and not be suppressed.

“A government’s strength lies in its ability to listen to public discontent. The tears of students are not merely an emotional response. They pose a moral question before the government. Protecting the dreams of young people is not an act of charity but a constitutional and moral responsibility,” he said. Sagar said India had a long tradition of non-violent movements, including Satyagraha, and criticised what he described as the Union government’s response to the ongoing agitation led by Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that the Centre had failed to engage with the protesters despite the agitation drawing nationwide attention and reiterated the organisation’s support for the students’ movement seeking reforms in the country’s examination system.

“The examination system must be comprehensively reformed to safeguard the future of the country’s youth. The Union Education Minister should accept moral responsibility for the alleged irregularities and resign. If he does not step down, he should be removed from the Union Cabinet,” Mr. Sagar said. The memorandum urged the Centre to reform the national examination system, condemn the police action against the students protesting peacefully in Delhi, and provide compensation of ₹1 crore to the family of each student who had died by suicide following the NEET question paper leak.

The KRDSS said it had organised similar demonstrations at district headquarters across the State in support of the students’ agitation and to press for reforms in the examination system. B.C. Wali, Suresh Hadimani and other leaders were present.