Student organisations across Meghalaya have strongly condemned the alleged use of force by Delhi Police against students protesting over examination paper leaks and have extended their support to the nationwide movement demanding greater transparency and accountability in the country’s education system.
The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) criticised the police action during the July 20 demonstration in New Delhi, describing the use of batons, tear gas and plainclothes personnel as an excessive response to a peaceful protest.
NESO chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa said the incident represented a serious challenge to democratic values and citizens’ constitutional right to peacefully voice their concerns. He urged the Centre to address students’ grievances through dialogue instead of coercive measures.
According to NESO, repeated examination paper leaks and concerns over transparency and fairness in recruitment and entrance examinations require urgent policy intervention rather than suppression of protests.
In Shillong, students of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) gathered outside the university’s Central Library under the banner of the NEHU Students’ Union and NEHU KSU to express solidarity with students protesting in New Delhi. Participants also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
Addressing the gathering, senior academic Dr. Prasenjit Biswas criticised the functioning of the education system and alleged that students’ voices were being ignored. Prof. Lakhon Kma said peaceful protest is a democratic right and highlighted the challenges faced by NEHU over the past few years.
Students participating in the programme pledged support for the nationwide agitation, organised a candlelight vigil in memory of students who reportedly lost their lives in connection with the examination controversy and observed a minute’s silence.
Meanwhile, Mehtab Chandee, wife of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, appealed to the Central government to listen patiently to students’ concerns. She said the issues raised by students deserve serious attention and called for a thorough review of the examination system to identify shortcomings and restore public confidence.
In Williamnagar, the Garo Students’ Union (Eastern Zone) organised a peaceful demonstration supporting education reform campaigner Sonam Wangchuk and students participating in the Delhi protest.
The organisation submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma through the East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, seeking comprehensive reforms in Meghalaya’s education sector. The memorandum called for improved school infrastructure, better road connectivity, recruitment of qualified teachers, decentralised coaching facilities, expansion of digital education, district-level coaching centres for competitive examinations and stronger career guidance programmes.
Separately, members of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) Youth Wing travelled to New Delhi and joined the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. The delegation handed over a letter of solidarity to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, stating that the movement’s demand for transparency and accountability in education closely aligns with the party’s own principles.
