Shillong, July 24: Students across Meghalaya on Friday staged protests in solidarity with students agitating in New Delhi over alleged question paper leaks in various examinations and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), through its units in educational institutions across the state, organised demonstrations on their respective campuses. The institutions included North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong; University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM); Regional Institute of Science and Technology (RIST), Ri-Bhoi; North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong; and MGU, Ri-Bhoi.
At NEHU, the protest was jointly organised by the NEHU Students’ Union and the KSU NEHU Unit, with a large number of students and teaching staff participating. The protesters expressed concern over alleged irregularities and repeated question paper leaks in competitive examinations, saying such incidents undermine transparency, fairness, accountability and the integrity of the examination and recruitment systems.
As a mark of solidarity, the KSU units observed a one-minute silence and held candlelight vigils in memory of 20 students who allegedly died amid distress linked to the controversy surrounding the NEET examination. The union also conveyed condolences to their families, relatives and friends.
The KSU said its Delhi unit had earlier joined the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar and would continue supporting the students’ movement. The union also condemned the alleged use of force by police against students participating in a peaceful protest in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. It alleged that protesters were subjected to a lathi charge and tear gas, and that individuals dressed in police uniforms were used to assault students.
According to the KSU, the alleged action violated democratic principles, the rule of law and the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution.
The union criticised the Union Government for allegedly failing to respond with sensitivity and accountability to an issue affecting the future of lakhs of students and examination aspirants across the country. It said the authorities should engage in meaningful dialogue instead of responding to peaceful demonstrations with force.
The KSU said the students’ demands for greater transparency, accountability, fairness and integrity in examinations were legitimate and required immediate attention. It maintained that the hard work, aspirations and future of students should not be jeopardised by administrative failures, corruption or a lack of accountability.
Expressing solidarity with students affected by the alleged examination irregularities, the union also wished a speedy recovery to those reportedly injured during the police action. The KSU urged the Union Government to immediately address the students’ demands, prevent the recurrence of question paper leaks and initiate reforms to strengthen the country’s education and examination systems.
Reaffirming that the promotion of quality education remains one of its foundational principles, the union said it would continue to support the agitation and explore further measures to press for reforms in the education sector.
