Hyderabad, 20 July
SFI Leaders Detained in Hyderabad During Hunger Strike Over NEET-UG Paper Leak
Hyderabad: SFI Leaders Detained in Hyderabad became a major development on Monday after the Chikkadpally Police detained members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) who were staging a 24-hour hunger strike against the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities.
The protest was led by SFI Telangana State President S. Rajinikanth and State Secretary T. Nagaraju, who launched the hunger strike in solidarity with the ongoing student agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA), alleging repeated failures in conducting national-level examinations.
According to videos circulating on social media, police personnel detained several students while they were raising slogans demanding accountability and reforms in the country’s examination system. SFI Leaders Detained in Hyderabad included Rajinikanth and Nagaraju, who were taken into police custody along with other activists during the protest.
The hunger strike was organized to express support for students protesting across the country over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. SFI leaders stated that repeated controversies surrounding competitive examinations have shaken the confidence of lakhs of aspirants and called for a transparent and accountable recruitment and examination process.
Delhi Witnesses Crackdown on Protesters
The SFI Leaders Detained in Hyderabad incident came on the same day as a large-scale police crackdown in New Delhi, where security personnel used tear gas and conducted a lathi-charge to disperse supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) during a protest march near Parliament.
The CJP, a youth-led movement that has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June over alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities, attempted to march towards Parliament demanding action over the controversy. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was among those detained by Delhi Police during the demonstration.
Parliament Sees Uproar Over NEET-UG Issue
The alleged NEET-UG paper leak also triggered heated scenes in Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned multiple times as Opposition parties demanded a discussion on the examination controversy.
Opposition members also raised concerns over the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28 and is currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.
Calls for Examination Reforms Intensify
The SFI Leaders Detained in Hyderabad protest reflects growing nationwide concern over the integrity of India’s examination system. Student organisations and political groups continue to demand structural reforms, greater transparency, and accountability in the conduct of national entrance examinations.
With protests continuing in several parts of the country and the issue echoing inside Parliament, pressure is mounting on the Central government to address concerns raised by students and ensure confidence in future examinations.