Mumbai: Songs, slogans and poetry filled Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Thursday as hundreds of people gathered to protest against the alleged NEET paper leak and demand the resignation of Education MMinisterof India Dharmendra Pradhan.
This reporter saw a large crowd assembled under a temporary shed at Azad Maidan near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The stage had a large portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while many protesters held photographs of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and placards demanding justice for students.
People sang songs, raised slogans and listened to poetry from the stage. Many said repeated paper leaks were destroying the future of students and demanded strict action against those responsible.
The protest was organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and was inspired by the ongoing agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Along with the alleged NEET paper leak, protesters also raised the issue of the alleged TET paper leak. They opposed the Maharashtra government’s decision to conduct MPSC Group A, B and C preliminary examinations online from 2027, saying the move could lead to technical problems and reduce transparency in the recruitment process.
Organisers said they had taken permission from the Azad Maidan Police Station and were expecting around 3,000 people to attend the one-day protest.
One supporter from Mumbai’s suburban area said the protest was also being held in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
“We want Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over the NEET paper leak,” he said.
Another protester cited TET paper leak. “These paper leaks are ruining the future of students,” he said.
Several Mumbai-based social media influencers had also appealed to people through their social media accounts to join the protest, leading to a large turnout of students and job aspirants.
Police remained deployed at the venue and the protest continued peacefully till the filing of this report.
Organisers had also invited CJP leader Abhishek Dubey to attend the protest. However, he could not join as he is in Delhi, where he is leading the protest along with Sonam Wangchuk.
The Mumbai protest comes as Wangchuk completed 19 days of his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. According to his doctors, he has lost more than 9 kg, although his vital signs remain stable.
Dr Satish Lamba, who is monitoring Wangchuk’s health, said his blood sugar, pulse and blood pressure were within acceptable limits. However, rising uric acid levels and ketones in his urine show that his body has started using fat and muscle for energy, making the coming days critical.
Despite repeated appeals, Wangchuk has refused to end his hunger strike, saying he will continue until the Centre responds to the demands. In a video message, he admitted feeling weak but said his heart and other vital organs were functioning normally. He also urged supporters to join the CJP’s “Chalo Sansad” march to Parliament on July 20.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Centre to take all necessary steps to protect Wangchuk’s life. Hearing a public interest litigation, the court asked the government to ensure that he is examined daily by government doctors and provided treatment whenever needed.
The petition claimed Wangchuk’s health had become critical because of the prolonged fast. The Centre told the court that his health was being monitored regularly. The court, however, said government doctors should carry out daily medical check-ups and take immediate action if his condition worsens.
