Student leader Neha Bora calls for comprehensive reforms in education system

All India Students’ Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora on Wednesday said that the Central government had landed itself in trouble due to its failure to respond effectively to students’ demands for transparent and accountable conduct of examinations.

Speaking at a “Meet the Press” programme in Vijayawada, she said the government’s negligence, rather than issues such as the NEET question paper leak or the cancellation of the examination, had become the central concern. She alleged that the Centre had shown little interest in addressing the concerns of students and youth.

Ms. Neha said the government failed to engage in meaningful dialogue with the protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. “Instead, the authorities tried to create hostility against students and responded with indifference and sarcasm,” she alleged.

She said the movement sought to awaken the ruling BJP government to the gravity of the crisis and alleged that “interference by the BJP and RSS-affiliated groups for political gains contributed to the prolonged protest. Referring to the removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the hunger strike site, she said the 60-year-old activist had no personal agenda and was fasting solely to seek justice for students.

The student leader accused the police of attempting to disrupt the movement and introducing religious and cultural divisions. She said that the events of July 20 in Delhi had drawn national and international attention, forcing the government onto the defensive.

Ms. Neha argued that the resignation of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alone would not resolve the crisis, as the issues stemmed from deeper systemic problems. Calling for a complete transformation of the education system, she criticised privatisation, centralisation, and the National Testing Agency (NTA), alleging structural flaws and lack of accountability.

The programme concluded with APUWJ leaders felicitating her. The event was coordinated by IJU executive committee member K. Ajay Babu, while Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) Vijayawada Unit president Chava Ravi and IJU Council member Sheikh Babu were also present.