Pune, July 24: Pune witnessed a large protest on Thursday as thousands of students, citizens and activists participated in a march organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and expressing solidarity with students who faced police action during protests in Delhi.

The march began at Shaniwar Wada and concluded at the Collector Office, with protesters raising slogans including "Bharat Mata Ki Jai," "Inquilab Zindabad," and "Halla Bol." Participants also carried placards highlighting their demands. Despite intermittent rainfall, the march continued as scheduled.

The protest was held in response to the July 20 police action against demonstrators in Delhi during protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. Participants called for accountability, education reforms and Pradhan's resignation.

Students from different educational institutions, along with members of civil society, attended the march. Several protesters said they were participating in solidarity with students who had protested in Delhi, while others raised concerns over the handling of the alleged examination irregularities and the police response.

Pune City Traffic Police had earlier issued traffic diversions along Ganesh Road, Kelkar Road, Shivaji Road and Nehru Road to facilitate the procession. A police official present at the venue said arrangements had been made to ensure the march remained peaceful and that participants were cooperating with authorities.

Several protesters shared their concerns during the march. One student, requesting anonymity, said, "We are not here for any political party. We are here to stand with students and demand accountability." Another participant questioned the government's response to the alleged examination irregularities, asking, "If students lost their lives because of the NEET controversy, who is taking responsibility?" Several others also criticised the police action against protesters in Delhi and called for the right to peaceful protest to be respected.

Part of a wider wave

The Pune march comes amid similar demonstrations reported in several cities, including Bihar, Gujarat, Mumbai and Bengaluru, as the nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak continues. While activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike following government assurances, the CJP has stated that its protest will continue until its demands are addressed.