Assam Follows Bihar, Withdraws Cases Against NEET Protestors; No Further Action

The Assam government on Monday announced that it will withdraw cases and other legal proceedings initiated against individuals who participated in protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. This decision mirrors a similar move by the Bihar government earlier.

In a press release from the Home and Political Department, the government stated that five cases had been registered in Assam in connection with the protests, leading to the arrest of 13 persons. The release said that after careful consideration of all aspects, including the need to strengthen accountability and undertake systemic reforms in the examination and higher education ecosystem, no adverse legal action will be initiated by police authorities against those involved in the protests.

The process for withdrawing the registered cases, regardless of their current stage, will be initiated promptly as per law. Additionally, the government will review arrests and release those detained expeditiously. The matter will be treated as closed without any future proceedings on this account.

The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das shared the order on social media platform X, saying, 'Next up, Assam Government guarantees release of all arrested protesters, no FIRs or action in future, and withdrawal of all existing FIRs.'

In a separate post, Das said, 'After Bihar and Assam notifications, we have just been guaranteed that no authority will proceed against protesters in Rajasthan. No FIRs have been registered. None will be. We are continuously working to ensure all other risky BJP/NDA states release notifications in the required language in protester's interest. We will never let any youth fight this alone!'

Das also mentioned that representatives of the government met with the CJP. 'Government's representatives met us. The meeting lasted for 2-3 hours. They shared copies of the Bihar and Assam notifications guaranteeing FIR withdrawals, no action in future, and release of all detainees and arrestees. They've reiterated their promise of releasing guarantee-notifications by union government and other BJP/NDA states by tomorrow. Hopefully, the agreed upon language shall be used. No protester will be left alone. We are all in this together,' he said.

The protests were sparked by allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, a key medical entrance test in India. Several states have seen students and activists demanding a thorough investigation and accountability.