The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Wednesday issued a detailed statement on the ongoing protests over NEET-UG and competitive examination reforms, saying that students’ concerns are “legitimate” and should be addressed through dialogue, transparency and institutional reforms. Notably, while reiterating its support for students affected by examination irregularities, the student organisation did not demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
ABVP strongly criticised the violence and clashes reported during the recent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, describing the incidents as unfortunate. It alleged that political interests and anti-social elements had attempted to exploit a genuine student movement, leading to public disorder. The organisation also expressed sympathy for students and security personnel who were injured during the clashes and said such incidents should not be repeated.
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Calls for high-level committee on competitive examinations
Reaffirming its stand on examination reforms, ABVP said it has consistently raised concerns over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, including NEET-UG. According to the organisation, it had earlier demanded a central agency investigation and staged protests outside the National Testing Agency (NTA) headquarters, seeking accountability and action against those responsible.
The organisation has now urged the Government of India to set up a high-level committee to review the transparency, integrity and overall functioning of competitive examinations. It said the proposed panel should submit time-bound recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional reforms and improving the credibility of the examination system.
ABVP warns against political exploitation of student protests
In its statement, ABVP said students’ genuine concerns should not be used to advance political interests or create unrest. It claimed that attempts to turn student movements into political campaigns could undermine democratic processes and social harmony.
The organisation further appealed to students, parents, teachers, academicians and other stakeholders to work together in maintaining a peaceful and democratic atmosphere while addressing education-related issues. It also urged the student community to remain vigilant against what it described as attempts to politically influence or misguide student movements.
‘Students’ issues must be resolved through dialogue and reforms’
National General Secretary of ABVP, Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki, stated that, “The irregularities in various competitive examinations, including NEET-UG, have raised deep concerns among millions of students across the country. ABVP has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the students on these legitimate issues from the very beginning. Any attempt to divert the just demands of students toward narrow political interests is a grave injustice to student welfare.”
He also stressed that student power cannot be allowed to be “used to serve political agendas or forces working against India’s unity, integrity, and social harmony.”
“Such ill-intentioned efforts indirectly strengthen anti-India mechanisms like the ‘Deep State,’ which have long been trying to weaken India’s internal stability and sovereignty. The resolution to students’ just issues must be achieved only through meaningful dialogue, sensitivity and institutional reforms.:
“ABVP demands that the Government of India form a high-level committee for a holistic review of the purity, transparency and necessary institutional reforms in competitive examinations, thereby restoring credibility and accountability to the exam system”. He concluded.
FAQs:
What did ABVP say about the NEET protests?
ABVP called students’ concerns “legitimate”, condemned the violence at Jantar Mantar and urged dialogue along with reforms in competitive examinations.
What did ABVP demand in its statement on competitive exams?
ABVP urged the Centre to set up a high-level committee to improve transparency, credibility and institutional reforms in competitive examinations.
