NEW DELHI — Raising strong objections against state action, multiple Left-affiliated student organizations gathered at Delhi’s historical protest site, Jantar Mantar, on Wednesday to protest against what they termed a systemic crackdown on student activists across the country.
Demonstrating under the banner "Student-Youth Unity; Long Live," the activists demanded the immediate release of students detained during recent nationwide demonstrations related to the NEET exam paper leak controversy, alongside an end to the "criminalisation" of peaceful student protests.
A Multi-Organisation Mobilisation
The protest was convened following a joint call by student bodies, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), aimed at mobilizing resistance against police action in states like Bihar and West Bengal.
The demonstration witnessed participation from a broad coalition of student groups, including:
AISA (All India Students' Association)
SFI (Students' Federation of India)
AISF (All India Students' Federation)
KYS (Krantikari Yuva Sangathan)
AIDSO (All India Democratic Students' Organisation)
DSF, PDSU, PSA, PSYA, ACNS, COLLECTIVE, DISHA, and PACHHAS.
Chanting slogans like "Chhatron ki giraftaari band karo" (Stop arresting students) and "Chhatron ka criminalisation nahi chalega" (Stop the criminalisation of students), protesters marched holding placards detailing their grievances.
Allegations of High-handedness and Social Media Censorship
Addressing the gathering, student leaders alleged that state authorities have launched a widespread campaign targeting student activists and suppressing freedom of expression. Speakers pointed out that several social media accounts associated with the protest movement had been blocked or suspended in recent days.
"We can see how the authorities are targeting students across the country for exercising their constitutional right to protest. We stand in complete solidarity with them. If the administration thinks students will be frightened by lathi-charges, they are deeply mistaken," remarked a representative from the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS).
Prominent among the placards were calls for strict disciplinary and legal action against police officers involved in clashes with student protesters during a previous march on July 20.
Severe Allegations of Police Action in Bihar
During the address, an AISA representative presented alarming details regarding the situation in Bihar, claiming that more than 300 students had been arrested in connection with recent NEET-related agitation.
The leader further alleged that severe force was used against demonstrators near AIIMS Patna, leading to critical injuries. According to her statement, four students sustained bullet wounds following firing during the clashes.
"Two students suffered life-altering injuries—one has undergone surgery and another requires further surgical intervention. One of the injured students is currently unable to move his shoulder," she stated during her speech.
Calls to Revive the Mass Movement
A representative from DISHA urged the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)—the platform that had spearheaded earlier phases of the NEET protests—to issue a fresh call for national re-mobilisation at Jantar Mantar to keep the momentum alive.
"If a fresh call is issued, students will return to Jantar Mantar in large numbers. The movement can still be revived. If no call is given, students may lose faith, which would mark a setback for this collective fight," she remarked.
The protesting student unions reiterated that their agitation will continue until all detained activists are released without charges and safety guarantees are established for student demonstrators nationwide.
