Hyderabad: Books, banners, and handwritten messages of solidarity filled Dharna Chowk near Indira Park on Thursday as students, NEET aspirants, professors, psychologists, lawyers, transgender activists, senior citizens and women’s groups gathered for the third straight day to raise their voice against alleged NEET paper leaks.As volunteers distributed water bottles, copies of the Constitution and Ambedkar’s writings moved through the crowd, while books on caste, social justice and resistance invited participants to reflect on a movement. The protest was organised by the Women’s Joint Action Committee, with some members observing a 12-hour hunger strike.A small morning gathering swelled to more than 150 participants by afternoon. Singer Chinmayi Sripada also joined the protest, extending support to the students’ demands. Protesters sought accountability over alleged examination irregularities, demanded the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and sought Rs 1 crore compensation for families who lost their children.Junaid, who appeared for NEET three times before securing a medical seat, said he joined the protest despite achieving his goal because he understood the struggles of aspirants. “We know what paper leaks do to people. There was a leak in 2023 too, but it did not get this kind of attention. This year, we finally have a catalyst for our anger,” he told TOI.Several participants travelled long distances to join the protest. Arjun, who came from Shamirpet for his third protest, said the govt must listen to students. “Dharmendra Pradhan must be held accountable. Govts cannot suppress our voices,” he said.Members of Hyderabad’s transgender community also participated in the demonstration. Kali, a transgender activist and communications coach, said the protest reflected a larger struggle against being unheard. “What students are experiencing now, we have experienced since birth. We understand the pain of not being heard, of being brutally crushed and of the entire state machinery coming down on you,” she told TOI.She urged citizens to preserve records of the protests. “We are forgetting things the very next day. It is important to document all this because videos are being taken down,” she said.Psychologist and educator Nivedita arrived carrying an ISC Class 11 psychology textbook, which she said represented deeper flaws in the education system. Pointing to outdated content in the syllabus, she questioned the quality of academic reforms. “I support the demand for the minister’s resignation. But what about the larger problems in the education system? How bad does it have to get when official textbooks still carry outdated information?” she asked.“Students come to me after being weighed down by systemic issues and pushed into academic paths they never wanted. The system does not support them,” she added.The sit-in remained peaceful, with around 20 police personnel deployed at the venue. No law-and-order issues were reported. Volunteers continued distributing water to protesters and police personnel, while slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Jai Bheem” and “Delhi Police sharam karo” echoed through the gathering.As part of the protest, Telangana participants who travelled to Delhi performed the traditional Bathukamma at Jantar Mantar as a symbol of solidarity. They raised slogans invoking social reformers and freedom fighters, including “Jai Bhim Zinda Hai”, “Savitri Zinda Hai”, “Bhagat Singh Zinda Hai” and “Kumuram Bheem Zinda Hai”, while reiterating their demands for accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the police action against protesting students.
