Chandigarh: A four-year-old perched on her father’s shoulders. Medical graduates standing beside school students. Placards demanding accountability. Speeches interrupted by chants. And, finally, hundreds of voices joining together to sing the national anthem outside Neelam Theatre.Sector 17 became the stage for another show of solidarity on Thursday evening as more than 500 people gathered to protest over the alleged NEET paper leak, demand reforms in the examination system and seek the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The gathering began at the plaza, where protesters formed a circle and took turns addressing the crowd. Students, parents and professionals spoke about years of preparation hanging in uncertainty, while others argued that the issue had moved beyond a single exam to concerns over the credibility of competitive recruitment and entrance tests. Each speech was met with applause, slogans and raised placards carrying messages demanding transparency, accountability and justice for aspirants.Among those listening was Robert, a social worker, holding his four-year-old daughter, Shikanya, in his arms. He said he wanted her to witness citizens standing up for a fair education system.“I want my daughter to grow up in a system that is transparent and accountable. She is yet to enter this examination system, but I worry about the future she and hundreds of other students will inherit,” he said, adding that reforms and accountability could no longer be delayed.For Simran, a BSc medical graduate, the protest reflected the frustration of thousands who understand the pressure of high-stakes exams.“As someone from a medical background, I know how demanding these examinations are. Students have been suffering due to repeated issues surrounding the examination process,” she said. She also criticised the police action against protesters in Delhi, calling it unacceptable, and reiterated the demand for accountability and the resignation of the Union education minister.As dusk settled, the gathering marched through the market raising slogans, drawing the attention of shoppers and visitors who paused to watch or record the procession on their phones. The march culminated outside Neelam Theatre, where the crowd stood together and sang the national anthem before dispersing, while many youngsters were still there raising slogans at 9.30 pm.Organisers said the demonstration was intended to keep public attention focused on demands for a transparent examination system and accountability over the alleged irregularities. Participants maintained that the issue was not confined to one batch of students but concerned the credibility of examinations that shape the futures of millions of young Indians.
