Chandigarh: Holding the Tricolour, copies of the Constitution and hand-painted placards, students and citizens gathered at Sector 17 Plaza on Monday to express solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk and demand accountability over repeated examination paper leaks, particularly those linked to NEET.The demonstration drew students, professionals, retirees and young aspirants, who raised slogans seeking accountability and demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protesters alleged that repeated paper leak controversies had eroded public trust in the examination system.Among those present was Chaitanya, who recently cleared JEE Main and is set to join an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Though not a NEET aspirant, he said he joined the protest because several of his friends had been affected by the uncertainty surrounding the examination.Asked why he participated, Chaitanya pointed to a placard held by his grandfather bearing a quote by Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”“I didn’t want to be neutral,” he said, adding that the issue was larger than any single examination and concerned fairness and accountability.Aakriti, who works in the development and education sector, said the protest was a call for greater responsibility from public institutions. “This is about the future of the country’s youth. People in positions of responsibility must acknowledge mistakes and explain how they will prevent them from recurring,” she said.Diksha, a recent graduate, said reports of student distress and suicides linked to the controversy had deeply troubled her. “There is no personal hatred towards any political party. But if someone entrusted with a responsibility fails repeatedly, there has to be accountability,” she said.Participants carried placards highlighting issues of justice, transparency and education, while speakers addressed the gathering on examination reforms and democratic accountability. Some protesters also linked the demonstration to support for Wangchuk, whose ongoing campaign has drawn nationwide attention.The gathering brought together students, senior citizens, professionals and families. While many attended in support of Wangchuk, others said their primary concern was restoring confidence in India’s examination system.
