NEET Paper Leak: AISF Burns Effigy, Demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, May 24: The All India Students’ Federation (AISF) staged a fiery protest in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, burning an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demanding his resignation over the NEET‑UG paper leak scandal.
Protesters, wearing symbolic nooses made of NEET admit cards, accused the National Testing Agency (NTA) of turning the medical entrance exam into a “corrupt lottery.” They demanded the scrapping of both NTA and the NEET system, alongside free transportation and Rs 1,000 financial aid for candidates in Odisha.
AISF leaders condemned NTA’s dismissal of the leak as “some questions” rather than a full paper leak, alleging BJP leaders’ involvement and criticising policies that disadvantage underprivileged students.
With over 22 lakh aspirants nationwide facing financial, physical, and mental trauma due to repeated exam mismanagement, AISF warned of escalating protests “from villages to Delhi” if the minister does not step down.
The demonstration reflects mounting nationwide anger and calls for sweeping reforms to restore credibility in medical entrance examinations.
