Bengaluru Students Hold Anti-NEET Victory Meet, Vow Continued Stir
Student organisations and activists gathered in Bengaluru on Sunday for a victory meeting following what they described as the success of the nationwide anti-NEET movement. Organised by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the event brought together around 2,000 students, artists, activists, workers, and representatives of various student organisations from across the city.
The event saw participation from members of the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), All India Students' Federation (AISF), Students' Federation of India (SFI), People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), workers’ unions, and several independent activists. Unlike a conventional public meeting, the event featured speeches, rap performances, stand-up comedy, and cultural programmes highlighting issues affecting students and marginalised communities.
Speakers at the meeting emphasised that the movement should not be viewed as ending with the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, describing his resignation as only the first step in a broader struggle against the privatisation and commercialisation of education. Participants also raised concerns over developments in Manipur and Kashmir, while highlighting the continued incarceration of student activist Umar Khalid without trial. Members of workers’ unions expressed solidarity with the students and called for stronger worker-student unity.
During the meeting, participants shared a meal together, reflected on their experiences during the protests, and adopted a resolution to continue the movement until their remaining demands are met.
The student organisations are demanding the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the withdrawal of FIRs registered against students who participated in the protests, and compensation for the families of the 21 students who, they claimed, died by suicide in connection with the issue.
The organisers added that they would continue awareness campaigns and outreach programmes in universities to mobilise students against the privatisation of education and alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
