Protest held in Davangere to condemn lathi-charge on students in Delhi

Holding placards, the students, led by office-bearers of All India Democratic Students Organisation and All India Democratic Youth Organisation marched to Jayadeva Circle in Davangere

Scores of students took out a protest march in Davangere on Wednesday (July 22) condemning the police lathi charge on students who were marching to Parliament protesting against NEET irregularities and seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation in New Delhi on Monday (July 20).

Holding placards, the students, led by office-bearers of All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) and All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) marched to Jayadeva Circle in Davangere and staged a dharna condemning in strong terms what they termed as “police brutalities against the students”.

Addressing the protesting students, AIDSO State office secretary Mahantesh Bilur said that AIDSO strongly condemned the lathi-charge and the lobbing of tear gas shells on the protesters. Although the Parliament march was announced well in advance, the police denied permission, he said, adding that the right to protest was a fundamental right.

Mr. Bilur said that police action against the protesters was not only undemocratic but also contrary to the ideals of a democratic nation. AIDSO appealed to the entire student community across the country to raise their voice against the police action and the attitude of the Union government.

Medical Service Centre State secretary and ophthalmologist Vasudhendra highlighted the government’s failure to conduct the NEET examination properly. The paper leak, subsequent cancellation, and re-exam created severe anxiety among students, forcing them to take the extreme step of ending their lives, he said.

Dr. Vasudhendra alleged that the Union government had introduced NEET only to benefit the coaching lobby and urged the government to abolish the National Testing Agency (NTA) and allow State governments to conduct their own entrance examinations.

Retired professor and district president of the Save Public Education Committee K.S. Eshwarappa said that weakening the education system was enough to destroy the nation, and the Union government had been continuously privatising education at all levels.

“The NEET question paper leak occurred three times in recent years and yet the government failed to take any meaningful action, exposing its negligence. Several student and youth organisations have been continuously fighting against this injustice. But the insensitive government has ignored his appeals, displaying its authoritarian attitude. Instead of responding to democratic demands, it is resorting to lathi-charging protesting students and youth. The attacks on protesters must stop immediately, and Dharmendra Pradhan must resign,” he demanded.

AIDYO district convenor Parashuram demanded the Union Education Minister’s resignation as he had completely failed to ensure transparency in national-level examinations. The NTA, which too had utterly failed in conducting fool-proof examinations, should be abolished, he said. Office-bearers of both organisations, including Suman T.S. Shashikumar, Gangadhara H.D., Guru B., Mahatma Kale, and others led the protest.