Chandigarh: Expressing concern over recent developments in the national capital following peaceful student protests regarding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the PGI has called for immediate accountability and comprehensive reforms in the national examination system.The doctors’ body has urged the Govt of India to conduct a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation to punish all perpetrators, alongside implementing concrete systemic safeguards to restore public confidence in competitive entrance exams.“The alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has severely shaken the confidence of students and the public in one of the nation’s most crucial competitive entrance examinations. We urge the govt to conduct a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation to fix accountability on all perpetrators. Simultaneously, concrete systemic reforms must be implemented immediately to prevent future recurrences and restore trust in India’s examination framework,” the ARD mentioned in its statement.Strongly condemning the reported use of disproportionate force against students and medical personnel during the events of July 20, the ARD members highlighted alarming reports of doctors being subjected to violence while dispensing emergency medical aid to injured protesters. The association expressed grave concern over reports indicating that uniformed police personnel operated without visible nameplates or badge numbers to evade personal accountability, prompting demands for an independent inquiry by the Delhi Police and the ministry of home affairs into the excessive use of force.Additionally, the ARD called for independent investigations into widespread complaints regarding the harassment and molestation of female protesters, as well as reported police threats and intimidation directed at faculty and students at Lady Hardinge Medical College.. Emphasizing that academic institutions must remain safe spaces free from coercion, the resident doctors urged the authorities to prioritize open, democratic dialogue as the sole mechanism to address student grievances peacefully and uphold the integrity of the country’s public institutions.
