Speakers Demand ₹1 Crore Each for Families of Students Who Died Over Exam Fraud
Key Points:
- Two-hour dharna held by Janandolan Ekjutata Manch on Tuesday evening
- Resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah among the main demands
- Speakers ask Narendra Modi to apologise to students of the country
JAMSHEDPUR – Citizens sat on a two-hour dharna on Tuesday evening to back the student agitation that has spread across the country.
The sit-in was held under the banner of the Janandolan Ekjutata Manch. It took place at Sakchi in Jamshedpur.
The Manch was formed with the consent of many organisations of the city. Representatives of several communities were present at its formation.
Moreover, the protest opened with a tribute to students who died. They had lost their lives amid failures in the education system.
The participants expressed solidarity with the student movement. The movement began at Jantar Mantar and has since spread nationwide.
The gathering also conveyed condolences to the affected families. Those students had died in despair over irregularities in NEET and other examinations.
However, a set of demands was raised repeatedly at the venue. The first was the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The speakers described him as the planner of the crackdown. They also sought strict punishment for the policemen directly involved.
Besides, they raised the issue of unidentified men on security duty. Such personnel were deployed without uniforms or name plates, they said.
Criminal cases should be lodged against them after identification, the Manch said. It also sought ₹1 crore in compensation for each affected family.
In addition, the Manch wanted every case against the agitators withdrawn. The withdrawal should be immediate and unconditional, it said.
Meanwhile, it demanded an end to fresh cases against agitators. Harassment of those supporting the movement should also stop.
On the other hand, the speakers held Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly responsible. He was now making a display of grief, they said.
He should offer a sincere apology instead of Mann ki Baat, they added. Even a formal apology to the country’s students would do, they said.
The city has seen earlier protests over police action on students. Law college students had also demonstrated over examinations here.
