SFI activists protest Union Education Minister’s visit over paper leak row
Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Visakhapatnam District Committee staged a demonstration at the Andhra University main gate on Monday against the scheduled
Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Visakhapatnam District Committee staged a demonstration at the Andhra University main gate on Monday against the scheduled visit of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was to attend the convocation of the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh (CTUAP). Protesters raised “Go Back Dharmendra Pradhan” slogans, citing systemic failure in the national examination process following recurring leaks in NEET and other competitive examinations.
Addressing the gathering, SFI State president P. Rammohana Rao said successive paper leaks across the country were proof of the Central government’s failure to maintain transparency and credibility in the conduct of examinations. “The futures of lakhs of students are at stake due to administrative failure. The Union Education Minister must take moral responsibility and resign immediately,” he said. Rammohana also demanded the dissolution of the Testing Agency (NTA) and compensation of ₹1 crore each to the families of the 10 students who died following the NEET paper leak.
He warned that if the demands were not met, SFI activists would physically obstruct Mr. Pradhan’s visit to Visakhapatnam. Kusumanjali, SFI Andhra University unit secretary and a NEET aspirant, highlighted the financial and emotional burden placed on families. She pointed out that after years of intensive coaching, leaks lead to inflated cut-offs, reaching as high as 670 marks, or forced re-examinations, pushing students into deep depression.
“Whether it is a failure of the NTA or the Ministry, the accountability rests with the Minister,” she said. SFI leaders warned that protests would continue until firm measures were taken to prevent paper leaks and safeguard the futures of students.
The BriefWire