Hyderabad: The United Muslim Forum expressed support for the NEET protest launched by students and youth seeking reforms in the country’s education system. The organisation also condemned the Delhi Police’s action against protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Forum president Mufti Syed Sadiq Mohiuddin Faheem and several office-bearers criticised the Centre’s education policies. They alleged that recent policy decisions had weakened the education system. They also claimed that students had suffered because of those changes.
The Forum alleged that the BJP-led Central government had introduced arbitrary changes to the curriculum. It further claimed that repeated examination paper leaks had damaged public confidence. The statement also linked the education crisis with rising unemployment, corruption, economic distress and social discord.
NEET protest highlights education reforms
Further, the Forum said the NEET protest exposed paper leaks and highlighted alleged failures in the education system. It described the demonstrations as peaceful and democratic. It also accused the authorities of responding with excessive force.
Meanwhile, the Forum alleged that the Delhi Police acted brutally against protesters at Jantar Mantar. It further claimed that the government was diverting attention from public issues by encouraging communal divisions, bulldozer justice and mob violence.
In addition, the organisation warned that attempts could be made to disrupt the ongoing movement. It compared the situation with developments during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2020. The Forum urged all sections of society to remain united and respond peacefully to any such developments.
Moreover, the Forum praised the residents of Delhi for supporting the protesters. It said mosques and other religious institutions opened their doors to demonstrators. It also said volunteers arranged food and drinking water during the protest.
Accordingly, the Forum appealed to Muslims to continue working for constitutional governance, the rule of law, justice and communal harmony. It also urged the public to cooperate with the Election Commission in completing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several states, including Telangana.