Across India, Gen Z students took to the streets demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak, calling for the resignation of the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a credible investigation into one of the biggest examination scandals in recent years.
Protests erupted in multiple states. NSUI and other youth raised their voices against a system that jeopardized the future of millions of aspirants who spent years preparing for one of the country’s toughest examinations. Their demand was simple: fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Yet much of the mainstream media and the political establishment chose silence. Prime-time debates were scarce, headlines were muted, and the outrage that would normally accompany a scandal affecting millions of students was largely absent.
Would the response have been different if the protesters belonged to a different political camp? Is the silence because many of these demonstrations were led by NSUI, the student organization affiliated with the Congress party?
The larger issue transcends party lines. This is about the dreams of students, the credibility of public examinations, and public trust in India’s education system. When young citizens march for justice and accountability, their voices deserve to be heard—not ignored because of their political affiliation.
A democracy that claims to value its youth cannot remain indifferent when students across the country are demanding answers.