SHILLONG, July 23: The Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Thursday demanded that the Meghalaya government break its silence on the month-long NEET-UG protest in New Delhi, questioning Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s stand while extending full solidarity to the students and professionals taking part in the agitation.
VPP spokesperson A.W. Rani said the protest was no longer limited to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. It had grown into a larger movement against corruption, nepotism and political interference in public institutions.
The party fully supports the protesters, he said, stressing that the agitation concerns the future of millions of students and the credibility of institutions that conduct competitive examinations.
The VPP also asked why the state government had not issued any statement even after reports that youths from Meghalaya were among the demonstrators and had allegedly faced police action in the national capital.
“The people of Meghalaya deserve to know whether the state government stands with students demanding transparency and accountability or intends to remain silent on an issue of national importance,” Rani said.
Referring to reports of police action, he alleged that protesters had been subjected to lathi-charge, tear gas and injuries while exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully. Genuine public grievances, he added, should be addressed through dialogue rather than force, and he wished a speedy recovery to those reportedly injured.
Drawing parallels with issues raised by the VPP in Meghalaya, Rani said the party has consistently campaigned to protect public institutions from political interference. The concerns voiced in Delhi, he said, mirror the principles the VPP has advocated in the state.
He further questioned whether the government’s silence reflected indifference towards the alleged examination irregularities or the interests of Meghalaya’s youth.
The VPP also referred to recent media reports about remarks allegedly made by a leader of an NDA ally against the protesters. If the comments were accurate, Rani said, they raised serious concerns about the attitude towards students exercising their democratic rights.
Stressing that the issue goes beyond a single examination, he said the movement represents a larger struggle to restore public confidence in institutions and ensure that merit, transparency and fairness prevail in the country’s education system.
