On Friday , heat of the nationwide NEET paper leak protests reached Kolkata, as Dharmatala witnessed dramatic clashes between students and police. What began as a protest march quickly spiralled into chaos, with slogans, scuffles and heavy police deployment turning one of the city’s busiest intersections into a tense flashpoint.
The demonstrations are part of the growing nationwide movement that began at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where students have been demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities.
Students march through Kolkata
Hundreds of students, led by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and other Left-backed student organisations, marched from Sealdah to Dharmatala on Friday afternoon. Members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) also joined the rally.
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The march began around 3:10 pm, with students carrying placards, flags and banners while chanting slogans against the Centre. Protesters said the alleged NEET paper leak was not an isolated incident and accused authorities of repeatedly failing to ensure fair national-level examinations.
Demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
The protesters demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the alleged lapses in the examination system.
Student organisations also announced plans to continue their agitation with an overnight protest, saying they would not back down until their demands were met.
Clash erupts at Dharmatala
Tensions escalated when police stopped the march near Jarina Crossing. Protesters alleged that officers used batons to disperse the crowd after they attempted to move ahead.
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As the confrontation intensified, some demonstrators allegedly threw shoes and water bottles at police while shouting slogans of “Chor Chor” (“Thief, Thief”). Within minutes, Dharmatala turned into a battleground as protesters and police faced off in chaotic scenes.
RAF rushed in as tensions rise
With the situation deteriorating, authorities deployed a large contingent of Kolkata Police along with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to bring the situation under control. Security personnel cordoned off parts of the area, while traffic in central Kolkata was disrupted for several hours.
Protest movement gathers momentum
The Kolkata rally comes just a day after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike. Despite that, the nationwide movement has continued to grow, with protests taking place in multiple cities.
On Thursday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and promised a stringent new law to tackle examination paper leaks. However, student groups say they will continue their protests until those responsible are held accountable and meaningful reforms are introduced.
With demonstrations spreading across the country, the NEET paper leak controversy continues to fuel one of the biggest student movements seen in recent years.
FAQs
Why did students protest in Kolkata?
Students marched in Kolkata to protest the alleged NEET question paper leak and other alleged irregularities in national-level examinations. They also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
What happened at Dharmatala during the protest?
The protest turned violent near Dorina Crossing after police attempted to stop the march. Protesters alleged a baton charge, while some demonstrators reportedly threw shoes and bottles at police, leading to clashes and the deployment of the Rapid Action Force.
