Protests erupted across Pune district against the irregularities in the NEET examination and the severe police action on protesting students in Delhi. Through a long march in Shirur, a massive demonstration in Patas, a complete shutdown in Indapur, and protests in Nimgaon Ketki, various organizations, students, and villagers voiced strong opposition and demanded strict action against those responsible.

Shirur: Peaceful ‘Long March’ Held; Demand for Union Education Minister’s Resignation

A peaceful long march was organized in Shirur on Thursday by various social, educational, and commercial organizations. Students, doctors, traders, and social activists participated in large numbers. Beginning with tributes at the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the march traversed the Pune-Ahmednagar Highway before reaching the Tehsildar office.

Demonstrators demanded an impartial probe into the NEET exam discrepancies to ensure justice for students and transparency in the examination system. Taking moral responsibility, they also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A memorandum was submitted to the Tehsildar and police in the presence of former MLA Ashok Pawar and other local leaders. Strict security arrangements were put in place by the police.

Indapur City Shuts Down; Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Leads Demonstration

The call for an ‘Indapur City Bandh’ (shutdown) issued on Thursday by the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi received overwhelming support from citizens. Shopkeepers and local residents kept their business establishments closed to register their protest.

Following the statewide call by Prakash Ambedkar, National President of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, the party’s Indapur Taluka President Kirtikumar Waghmare and his associates submitted a memorandum to the Tehsildar and the Indapur Police Station. The memorandum strongly condemned the use of force against students and demanded an unbiased investigation. Supported by various political parties, student bodies, social organizations, and the ‘Indapur Nagrik Sangharsh Samiti’, the bandh remained entirely peaceful.

Massive Protest Rally Staged in Patas

Members of the Rahul Yuvak Mandal, Krantijyoti Pratishthan, and constitutional activists organized a large protest rally in Patas from the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Memorial to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk. Demonstrators raised slogans against the Central Government and the Delhi Police.

Protesters alleged that students peacefully demonstrating at Jantar Mantar were subjected to high-handedness and severe mistreatment. They demanded strict action against those responsible for the police action, the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and the suspension of the involved police personnel along with registering criminal cases against them. Following the demonstration, a memorandum was submitted to the Patas Police. Key activists including Arun Bhagwat, Ramchandra Bhagwat, and Sudhir Pansare were present alongside numerous citizens.

Nimgaon Ketki Villagers Stand in Solidarity with Protesting Students

In Nimgaon Ketki (Indapur taluka), local villagers voiced strong opposition against the police action on students in Delhi and expressed solidarity with the ongoing agitation at Jantar Mantar.

Students and teachers from Ketkeshwar Vidyalaya participated in large numbers alongside the villagers. The locals demanded that the democratic right of students to protest be respected, force against them be halted immediately, and an impartial inquiry be conducted to penalize the perpetrators.