Hyderabad: The Communist Party of India (CPI) staged a protest in Hyderabad on Thursday demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak. The party also condemned police action against students protesting in Delhi.
The rally, organised by the CPI State committee, began at Liberty Crossroads and ended at the Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund. Protesters raised slogans against the Central government. They also demanded protection for students’ interests.
Addressing the gathering, CPI State secretary and MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao accused the Centre of adopting an autocratic approach towards protesting students. He alleged that police used force against demonstrators, including women, in Delhi. He also demanded judicial intervention into the incidents.
NEET paper leak sparks CPI protest
CPI National Secretary Palla Venkat Reddy alleged that the Centre was trying to centralise control over education through NEET. He warned that the student movement would intensify if the government failed to address their demands.
CPI National Control Commission Chairman K. Narayana said attempts to portray the student protests as politically motivated were undemocratic. He demanded that Dharmendra Pradhan accept moral responsibility for the alleged NEET paper leak. He also asked the Union Minister to resign.
Further, Narayana warned that the CPI would intensify protests across the country if the government ignored the demand.
Senior CPI leaders Pashya Padma, E.T. Narasimha, Takkallapalli Srinivasa Rao and other party functionaries participated in the demonstration.