Student protests across India call for NEET cancellation

Protests demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) have intensified across India, with a major sit-in continuing in New Delhi and solidarity demonstrations spreading to multiple states. The movement, sparked by allegations of a paper leak and other irregularities in the medical entrance exam, has entered a critical phase marked by widespread student participation and escalating political tensions.

In Delhi, the protest at Jantar Mantar, led by the student group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has been ongoing since mid-June. The demonstration has drawn hundreds of participants, with education activist Sonam Wangchuk joining the cause and undertaking an indefinite hunger strike for nearly four weeks before being forcibly moved to a hospital by police last week. Authorities have responded with heightened security, suspending mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometre radius of the protest site through July 23 and imposing restrictions around government residences. Tensions peaked on July 20 when a march toward Parliament devolved into clashes between police and...