SHILLONG, July 23: Citizens from various walks of life and several organisations in Shillong came out on Thursday to express solidarity with the students protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leak and related issues of transparency in examinations.
Hundreds of people, young and old, participated in twin programmes organised in the city.
One peaceful gathering was held at Police Point in Laitumkhrah from 2 pm to 5 pm, where students, parents, teachers, professionals and senior citizens assembled with placards reading “Justice for NEET Aspirants,” “Protect Merit” and “Fair Exams for All.”
Described by participants as a gathering “by the people, for the people,” the event remained non-political and focused solely on supporting a transparent examination system.
“We spend years preparing for NEET. Every student deserves a fair examination where hard work and merit are respected,” said one student.
Another added, “This gathering is a peaceful show of unity. We stand with the students protesting at Jantar Mantar because their fight is our fight too.”
A third participant stated, “We are not here to create conflict. We are here to support transparency, accountability and justice for every student.”
Youths danced and sang as citizens of different ages joined them. Unlike the tight police deployment at Jantar Mantar, the Shillong gathering saw hardly any police presence, and the programme concluded without any law-and-order issues.
A parallel meeting organised by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council at Khyndai Lad saw participants strongly condemn the alleged use of force against the protesting students.
Amid slogans demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem told the large crowd that the people of Meghalaya stand with the protesting youths and condemned the brutal force used on them.
North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum attended the Khyndai Lad meeting as a concerned citizen.
Speaking to the media, he condemned the alleged question paper leak and the police action against students exercising their democratic right to protest. He said he stands with the students in their demand for the Education Minister’s resignation and that the Union government must take responsibility for the lapses. Nongrum was the only MLA or minister from Meghalaya to publicly support the movement, with others remaining silent.
Meghalaya Congress, KSU join protests in Delhi
In New Delhi, a Meghalaya Congress delegation led by Manuel Badwar and Banphira Basaiawmoit, along with Freddy Thabah and Sara Rani Lyngkhoi, met and interacted with Yogendra Yadav and Kunki Chowdhury at the Jantar Mantar protest site.
The leaders expressed solidarity with the ongoing protests seeking transparency and accountability in examinations and governance, emphasising that they stand together “for democracy, justice and the people.”
Their presence underscored the party’s commitment to peaceful democratic movements and to amplifying citizens’ concerns at the national capital.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Delhi Unit joined the month-long protest at Jantar Mantar. Unit president Marbiang Khongwir said the KSU considers it important to stand with the students as one of its core objectives is to promote education, transparency and the uplift of young people. Another member described the situation as “really distressing,” noting that education is a fundamental right. A third member said, “We are here not just to dissent but also to save democracy. It is our right to be heard,” while condemning the alleged use of force by Delhi Police.
The All India Lawyers Union (AILU), Meghalaya State Committee, denounced the assault on students and citizens during the peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament House on 20 July, calling for genuine dialogue and accountability.
The Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions & Associations also condemned the violence against the protesters and expressed solidarity with their struggle against examination paper leaks.
As the protest at Jantar Mantar enters its second month, the solidarity programmes in Shillong and the presence of Meghalaya leaders in Delhi underlined the growing resonance of the students’ demands for a transparent, accountable and equitable education system across regional boundaries.
