Shillong, Jul 24: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), through its units in colleges across the state staged protests in their respective campuses on Friday as a mark of solidarity and concern over the ongoing agitation in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The protests were held at the North Eastern Hill University, North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya and Regional Institute of Science and Technology and Mahatma Gandhi University in Ri Bhoi.
As a tribute to the 20 students who died by suicide following the NEET question paper leak, the students also observed a one-minute silence and held candlelight vigils to express condolences to the bereaved families.
NEHU senior professor Dr Prasenjit Biswas criticised the centre’s education policies and the government’s response to the protests. He alleged that democratic values were under threat and said students across the country had awakened to the issues surrounding the education system.
Biswas also censured the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), claiming it was introduced without adequate public consultation. He questioned the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), alleging that it had become a mechanism for generating revenue rather than improving access to higher education.
Referring to research and higher education funding, he said India continues to lag behind countries such as China and argued that inadequate financial support for research would undermine the country’s aspiration of becoming a developed nation.
Professor Lakhon Kma said the right to protest is a fundamental feature of a democracy and cannot be curtailed. He also claimed that NEHU itself had experienced difficulties over the past two-and-a-half years due to what he described as the failure of the education system.
In a statement, the KSU condemned the excessive, unlawful, and unconstitutional use of force by the police against students participating in the peaceful protest in New Delhi on July 20 are not only unacceptable but also reflect the authoritarian nature of the government.
The KSU also criticised the government and said it lack empathy and seriousness on an issue. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue and seeking solutions, the authorities chose to respond with force and intimidation, which goes against the spirit of democracy and the Constitution, the KSU said.
Pointing out that the students’ demands are legitimate, legally grounded that deserve urgent attention from the government, the union asserted that the hard work, aspirations, and future of lakhs of students cannot be allowed to be destroyed by poor governance, corruption, or lack of accountability by those in authority.
Further, the KSU said it will continue to extend its support to the protest in Delhi and will also pursue other means to ensure reforms and transformation in the country’s education system.
Meanwhile, the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) has condemned the police action during the protest terming it as an “assault on democratic values.”
In a statement, NESO Chairman Samuel B Jyrwa said criticised the centre for responding with “repression and intimidation” instead of dialogue. He said the students’ demands on paper leaks and the need for transparency and integrity in examinations were legitimate and required urgent action.
Expressing solidarity with the protesters and concern for those injured, NESO urged the centre to address the grievances through dialogue, fix accountability for the crackdown, and bring comprehensive reforms to restore credibility in the recruitment and examination systems.
