politics

Erode: Police Remove Student Activists During Anti-NEET Protest

Published on: 22 Jul 2026, 10:14 AM

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a road blockade near the Kalaimadu Statue in Erode, demanding the abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protesters also condemned the detention of demonstrators who had participated in similar protests in New Delhi and Chennai. Raising slogans against NEET and calling for Mr. Pradhan's resignation, the students briefly blocked traffic. Police removed 10 SFI members involved in the road blockade and cleared the protest.

NEET, the national medical entrance test, has been a subject of controversy, with critics arguing it disadvantages students from rural areas and non-English medium backgrounds. Supporters maintain it ensures a uniform standard for admissions.

Meanwhile, Congress Lawyers' Wing secretary Rajendran had announced a hunger strike near the Gandhi statue at Karungalpalayam in support of the same demands. Following the announcement, police maintained a security presence as a precaution. However, Rajendran only garlanded the Gandhi statue and informed police that he would undertake the hunger strike after obtaining court permission, before leaving the venue.

Source: The Hindu

Latest in Politics 10

politics

Shah Meets Families of Anti-Drug Activists in Punjab; Mann Questions His Intentions

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab on October 20, 2026, meeting families of anti-drug activists who lost their lives, hours after the State government ordered a CBI probe into the Mansa murder of Parminder Singh Jhota. Mr. Shah accused the AAP government of failing to curb the drug trade and sought CBI inquiries into two more cases, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann questioned the BJP's own record between 2007 and 2017.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:39 PM

politics

Kharge to Raise SIR, Delimitation and Women's Reservation Concerns With PM Modi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the proposed delimitation exercise and the delay in implementing women's reservation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 21. Kharge, who has already written to the Prime Minister on the issues, said he would seek clarity on the women's reservation timeline. He also called for a grand Dasara celebration in the Kalyana Karnataka region from next year.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:45 PM

politics

Bhagwat cautions against protest politics, says agitation alone cannot solve problems

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his Vijayadasami address, said agitation alone does not solve problems and warned that politically driven protests can divide society and be exploited by external forces. He urged protesters to stay within constitutional and legal limits and made a case for dialogue, as protests continue over the revision of electoral rolls.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:48 PM

politics

Samajwadi Party to Release 'Jan-Man Manifesto' on Constitution Day Ahead of 2027 UP Polls

The Samajwadi Party will release its manifesto for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on November 26, 2026, observed as Constitution Day. The document, titled "Jan-Man Manifesto", is expected to focus on women, backward classes, Scheduled Castes and minorities, with separate papers on women, youth and law and order to follow. The party says region-specific manifestos will be released in the weeks after.

The Hindu 20 Oct 2026, 01:51 PM

politics

JNU hunger strike: MP John Brittas asks President Murmu to step in as protest enters day 17

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to President Droupadi Murmu and Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi seeking intervention in the JNU students' indefinite hunger strike, which entered its 17th day on Monday. He has called for the revocation of rustication orders against elected JNUSU representatives, the withdrawal of certain provisions of the Chief Proctor's Office Manual, and the early resolution of students' grievances, citing the deteriorating health of the protesters.

The Hindu 19 Oct 2026, 01:15 PM

politics

Ram temple donation theft: Congress demands Supreme Court-monitored probe, targets BJP

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram temple, questioning the clean chit given to trust office-bearers and the absence of a CBI or ED inquiry. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of maintaining silence on the case, while demanding that the full accounting of offerings be made public.

The Hindu 19 Oct 2026, 01:49 PM

politics

Amit Shah to visit Punjab on October 20 amid drug deaths, political row

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Punjab on October 20, BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has announced. Party sources said Shah may visit Mansa and Sangrur to meet families of two men who died in incidents linked to the State’s drug problem. The visit follows Shah’s Jalandhar rally and comes as the BJP presses the drug issue ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 01:37 PM

politics

Speaker to Decide Disqualification Petitions Against Four Former AIADMK MLAs in Two Months

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has assured that he will decide on the disqualification petitions against four former AIADMK MLAs within two months, as directed by the Madras High Court. The court recently upheld the Speaker's acceptance of the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs who later joined the ruling TVK. The Speaker said most of the inquiry work is complete and the remaining process will proceed now that the by-election is over.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 03:42 AM

politics

Telangana Sets Three-Month Deadline for Draft of Rohith Vemula Anti-Discrimination Bill

A Telangana Cabinet sub-committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has asked officials to prepare a preliminary draft of the proposed Rohith Vemula Telangana Bill within three months. The law is intended to prevent caste and social-background discrimination in higher educational institutions, with the Scheduled Castes Development Department leading the drafting and NALSAR University of Law expected to provide legal expertise. The draft will then be taken up for further scrutiny and stakeholder consultation.

The Hindu 18 Oct 2026, 03:46 AM

politics

YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy booked over Punganur nomination centre clashes

Tension prevailed in Punganur after police booked YSRCP Rajampet MP P.V. Midhun Reddy and others in connection with clashes at a nomination centre on Friday. Three cases have been registered, 70 people were identified from video evidence, and special teams were formed to trace those involved. Police said the situation was under control with intensified patrolling.

The Hindu 17 Oct 2026, 01:43 PM

→ View All Politics News