Civil society groups in Hyderabad held a candlelight vigil supporting Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike and demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister over the NEET controversy.

Key Takeaways

  • A candlelight vigil was held at Necklace Road, Hyderabad, in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
  • Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid the NEET paper leak controversy.
  • Demands include the scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and protection of student rights.
  • Experts criticized the over-centralization of examinations, calling it a threat to federalism.

In a powerful display of civic solidarity, various civil society organizations gathered near the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue at Necklace Road in Hyderabad on Thursday evening. The candlelight vigil was organized to support activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose hunger strike has entered its 19th day, and to voice intense frustration over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examinations.

A Growing Movement for Accountability

The protest, which commenced around 7 p.m., saw participants carrying placards with slogans such as 'Save Sonam Wangchuk', 'Protect Student Rights', and 'Sack Dharmendra Pradhan'. The core objective of the demonstration was to hold the central government accountable for the systemic failures within the examination process. The protesters presented a clear three-point charter: the protection of student rights, the complete dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the immediate resignation of the Union Education Minister.

The Federalism Debate and NTA

Adding a significant political dimension to the protest, Akunuri Murali, former chairman of the Telangana Education Commission, raised concerns regarding the erosion of state powers. He argued that the heavy centralization of entrance examinations under the NTA undermines the spirit of Indian Federalism. According to Murali, state governments possess the administrative capacity to conduct their own entrance tests, and the Centre should limit its jurisdiction to central institutions rather than monopolizing national-level testing.

Public Disillusionment

The gathering also highlighted a deep sense of disillusionment among the working class and educators. Participants criticized the government's perceived refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with protesters, particularly regarding the deteriorating health of Sonam Wangchuk. Teachers at the vigil emphasized that for a movement of this magnitude to succeed, it requires the active participation of parents and the broader public to ensure that the educational sanctity of the nation is restored.