Hyderabad, 21 July
26 Students Detained During Chalo Lok Bhavan Protest in Hyderabad, Police Use Force
26 students detained during Chalo Lok Bhavan protest became the latest flashpoint in the ongoing nationwide agitation over alleged examination irregularities and question paper leaks. Student activists from multiple organisations were taken into custody by the Hyderabad Police on Tuesday, July 21, after attempting to march towards Lok Bhavan, the official residence and office of the Telangana Governor.
The protest was organised in solidarity with the ongoing ‘Chalo Sansad’ movement at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where students and youth groups have been demanding accountability from the Central government over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET paper leak controversy.
26 Students Detained During Chalo Lok Bhavan Protest
The 26 students detained during Chalo Lok Bhavan protest were members of several student organisations, including the Student Federation of India (SFI), the All India Student Federation (AISF), and the All India Federation of Democratic Students (AIFDS).
The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the government had failed to address repeated examination irregularities affecting students across the country. 26 Students Detained During Chalo Lok Bhavan Protest, Videos Go Viral.
As protesters marched towards Lok Bhavan, Hyderabad Police intervened to stop the rally from proceeding further.
Police Detain Protesters, Videos Surface Online
According to eyewitnesses, police personnel from the Khairatabad Police Station reached the protest site shortly after receiving information about the demonstration.
Videos circulating on social media showed officers detaining student protesters, with several being physically lifted and dragged into police vehicles. The visuals quickly drew attention online and sparked criticism from various quarters.
The 26 students detained during Chalo Lok Bhavan protest were later released after being taken into custody.
No major injuries were officially reported during the Hyderabad protest.
Protest Held in Solidarity With Chalo Sansad Movement
The Hyderabad demonstration was organised in support of the Chalo Sansad movement currently taking place at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Thousands of students and youth activists have been participating in the national protest, demanding transparency in public examinations and strict action against those responsible for alleged question paper leaks and examination irregularities.
Student organisations say repeated controversies surrounding competitive examinations have affected the future of lakhs of aspirants across the country.
Delhi Protest Turns Violent
The Hyderabad protest followed large-scale demonstrations held in New Delhi on July 20, when thousands of students and youth attempted to march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament after a ‘Chalo Sansad’ call by social activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The march coincided with the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
To prevent protesters from reaching Parliament, Delhi Police erected multiple barricades across key routes.
According to reports, police later used lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd after clashes broke out between demonstrators and security personnel.
Reports indicated that nearly 180 people, including protesters and police personnel, sustained injuries during the confrontation.
Student Organisations Continue Their Demand
Student organisations participating in the movement have reiterated their demand for accountability in the country’s examination system.
They have called for comprehensive reforms to ensure transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations while urging authorities to take strict action against those involved in alleged paper leaks.
Meanwhile, the nationwide protests continued on Tuesday, with demonstrations taking place in several cities in support of the student movement.
The 26 students detained during Chalo Lok Bhavan protest have since been released, but student organisations have indicated that they will continue their protests until their demands are addressed.