The Karnataka Youth Congress is set to organize a 'Raj Bhavan Chalo' protest march in Bengaluru on May 21, responding to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. Senior Congress leaders are expected to participate in the demonstration, which aims to highlight the grievances of students affected by the incident.
Protest Details
According to HS Manjunath, President of the Congress Youth Unit, the march will commence at 11 AM from Freedom Park and proceed towards Raj Bhavan. The protest is intended to condemn the central government's handling of the alleged paper leak, which Manjunath claims has caused significant distress among students.
Manjunath alleged that the Centre has failed to take responsibility for the leak and is not ensuring punishment for the culprits. He criticized the government for making false claims about involving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) without concrete action. The Youth Congress stands in solidarity with the 24 lakh students who appeared for the exam, many of whom have faced emotional and financial strain due to the controversy.
Demands of the Protest
The Youth Congress has put forth specific demands, including that no re-examination be conducted in states where no paper leak incidents were reported. In Karnataka, approximately 1,70,000 students are affected by this situation. Manjunath urged that results for these students be released as they are, without requiring a retest. He emphasized that students who worked hard deserve fair outcomes and should not be subjected to additional stress.
Manjunath also highlighted the financial challenges faced by students, many of whom take loans to fund their education. He invoked former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's vision of equal opportunities for students from villages and cities, advocating for a uniform examination system to produce skilled doctors.
Leadership Participation
The protest will see participation from several prominent Congress leaders. National President Uday Bhanu Chib, AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deputy Chief Minister, office bearers, and in-charge Nigam Bhandari are expected to join. Other key leaders include Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Rizwan Arshad, and Basanagouda Badarli. A large number of students, women, and youth are anticipated to attend.
Background of the Controversy
The NEET-UG 2026 examination has been mired in controversy following allegations of a paper leak, leading to the cancellation of the exam. The re-examination is scheduled for June 21. As a corrective measure, the Union Education Minister announced that NEET-UG will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year. The protest aims to pressure the government into taking decisive action and ensuring accountability.
