Pune: What is usually a site of protests turned into a venue for celebration on Sunday as hundreds of students and parents gathered near the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) to celebrate the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Participants, waving the Tricolour, dancing to patriotic songs and raising slogans demanding educational reforms, described the event —Dance for Democracy— as the culmination of weeks of student mobilisation over the alleged NEET paper leak and other issues affecting the education sector.The celebration began around 4pm with floral tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Students carrying the national flag broke into dance as music echoed across the university campus, presenting a stark contrast to the protest marches and demonstrations that had dominated the venue in recent weeks.
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Organisers Vishwas Phatak and Neelambari Kedari said the celebration was inspired by the nationwide movement that gained momentum following the protests held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. “Students who had travelled to the national capital to participate in the agitation were invited on stage and felicitated. They shared their experiences and urged students to remain united in demanding transparency and accountability in examinations,” said Phatak.The gathering also observed a brief silence to pay tribute to the 21 students who, the organisers claimed, lost their lives in connection with the NEET examination controversy.MLA Rohit Pawar attended the event and interacted with students, while parents present at the venue said the minister’s resignation was only the first step towards broader reforms in the education system.With memories of the massive student gathering addressed by activist Abhijit Dipke at the same venue still fresh, Pune police deployed heavy security across the campus. Senior officers, including a deputy commissioner of police, senior police inspectors and additional personnel, remained on duty throughout the programme to maintain law and order. The event concluded peacefully.As the celebration drew to a close, students chanted, “Pune Police, I love you,” thanking the police for maintaining order during both the protests and the celebration.Many participants carried placards reading, “Students United Can Never Be Defeated”, “Justice for NEET Aspirants”, “Democracy Dances When Students Win”, “Education Is a Right, Not a Gamble” and “This Is Not the End, Reforms Must Follow”.“We protested because we wanted accountability, not politics. Today’s celebration is proof that students can bring change when they stay united,” said Aditi Kulkarni, a second-year engineering student.“This is not about one resignation. We want an examination system that every student can trust,” said Omkar Jadhav, a NEET aspirant.“For the first time, we are celebrating at the same place where we protested. It shows that democracy listens when young people refuse to give up,” said Rutuja Patil, an arts student.“We danced today because our voices were heard, but our fight for transparent admissions and fair examinations will continue,” said Prathamesh Shinde, a pharmacy student.“The silence for the students who lost their lives reminded us why this movement began. Today’s joy also carries a sense of responsibility,” said Sneha More, who had participated in the Delhi protest.
