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From demands for a probe into NEET ‘irregularities’ to protests over infrastructure at IIIT Basara, here are some of the major student protests that took place this year
Here are some of the major student protests that took place this year (PTI file photo)
From the investigation into NEET ‘irregularities’ to the protests at IIT-Guwahati over the death of a student, students have proved their ability to demand change. These protests not only exposed structural flaws within educational institutions, but they also had far-reaching effects, ranging from the resignation of key officials to national debates over policy and practice. Some of the major student protests of 2024 are given below:
Students demand probe into NEET ‘irregularities’
In June, members of left-affiliated student unions demonstrated outside the Ministry of Education, claim check On alleged anomalies in the NEET exam, according to a statement. According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), a four-person panel appointed by the Education Ministry will scrutinize the grace marks given to over 1,500 examinees. The action was taken in response to claims that 67 applicants had shared the top spot in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam due to inflation. The NTA has denied any discrepancy, saying that one of the reasons students got better marks was due to amendments made in National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks and delays in granting grace marks at testing venues.
UPPSC protest: ‘One day, one shift’
On 13 November, over 30,000 candidates expressed their disappointment over changes in the PCS (Provincial Civil Service) and Review Officer (RO) examinations, triggering massive protests. student demonstration This was the third day of protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) office in Prayagraj. The students expressed their extreme disapproval of the recent changes in the exam format and schedule and called for a return to the old ‘one day, one shift’ approach.
A major focus of protest by UPPSC students is the new changes in PCS and Review Officer (RO) examinations. These examinations were traditionally conducted in a single shift on a single day. However, there is a lot of dissatisfaction among the students, as UPPSC has decided to spread the examinations over two days. Candidates said that the single-shift examination conducted earlier was a much more equitable and easier process to handle.
Protest against removal of mosque from Varanasi College campus
A large group of students demonstrated demanding the removal of a mosque from the campus. Tension increased in Uday Pratap College earlier this month. With saffron flags in hand and slogans of “Jai Shri Ram”, hundreds of students gathered at the college gate on 6 December. When he tried to enter the university, the police stopped him.
According to student leader Vivekananda Singh, the mosque should be removed from whatever property does not belong to the Waqf Board. He further said that if namaz is still offered in the mosque then the students will recite Hanuman Chalisa in response.
IIIT Basara students protest over infrastructure and irregularities
In September, there was an increase in student protests at IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology) college in Basara in Nirmal district of Telangana. According to Local18, the students were calling on the government to listen to them and address their problems, as they said Unsolved for more than ten yearsThe demonstrations were taking place in support of better sports facilities, infrastructure development and issues related to uncleanliness.
Students were promised reforms by government leaders and politicians that they wanted during previous protests. His failure to resolve the problems led to another outrage. They reportedly wanted the current vice chancellor to be removed immediately and a new candidate appointed in his place. The students also insist that there should be no additional vacancies on teaching or non-teaching posts.
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On December 7, Bihar Police refuted rumors on social media that YouTuber and Patna-based tutor Khan Sir had been arrested. He said Khan sir had voluntarily gone to a police station to show support towards the protesters who were arrested for holding an illegal demonstration near the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) office. Meanwhile, Secretariat-1 sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Anu Kumari had warned that she would take action against the social media handle ‘Khan Global Studies’ for spreading false information about his detention.
Patna Police confirmed that Khan sir went to Gardani Bagh police station on the evening of 6 December after meeting protesters in the area where they were protesting.
Protest after student’s death by jumping at Delhi’s IP University
In September, a 25-year-old student, who had been expelled by the university administration, committed suicide. spark protest At Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. According to reports, first year MBA student Gautam Kumar committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of his hostel building. He was a student at the main campus of IP University in Dwarka Sector-16 in south-west Delhi and was originally from Vaishali in Bihar. He and five other students were expelled for allegedly using drugs and alcohol in their dorm room.
IP University Registrar Kamal Pathak told PTI that hostel warden Rakesh Kumar has been ‘relieved’ of his duties by the university administration amid the protests.
IIT-Guwahati dean resigns amid protests over student’s death
In September, Academic Dean of IIT-Guwahati, Professor Kanduru V. Krishna resigned Amid rising tension and protests after the tragic death of a 21-year-old B.Tech student. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, the deceased student was studying computer science and engineering when he was found hanging in his hostel room on September 9. The students were deeply hurt by this incident and they protested in large numbers, accusing the institute of creating a “toxic environment”. “They claimed that the student’s death was partly due to high academic pressure and demanded the dismissal of Professor Krishna.
