Mumbai Police Detain Over 200 at Student Protest Over NEET Irregularities

Mumbai, June 21: The Mumbai Police detained around 200 people on Monday as students and activists gathered at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar to protest against alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The protest, organised by Mumbai Against Suppression of Students (MASS), was held in solidarity with similar demonstrations in Delhi.

Police erected barricades on roads leading to the venue, preventing a large assembly. According to organisers, over 500 people had turned up, but many were stopped from reaching the site. Those who attempted to proceed were detained and taken to various police stations, including Sion, Dadar, Mahim, and Worli.

The protesters demanded accountability over the NEET controversy and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Participants included members of student organisations such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students’ Federation (AISF), and Aamchi Padhai Aamchi Ladai, as well as parents and school students.

Among the protesters was Nupur Haridas, a 23-year-old medical student who has taken the NEET twice. She said, “The education minister should resign.” Another student, Jenisha Solanki, expressed concern that the controversy was discouraging her younger sister from pursuing medicine. Anju Kothari, who attended with her daughter, said the government could not escape accountability.

Organisers alleged that several activists were detained before the protest began. Shailendra Kamble, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), claimed police visited the homes of Opposition leaders and activists, including CPI Mumbai secretary Milind Ranade and Progressive Students’ Organisation president Samya Korde, in an attempt to prevent their participation.

The protest remained largely peaceful, with small groups staging demonstrations in nearby areas after being blocked from the main venue. The police action has drawn criticism from some quarters, who say it infringes on the right to peaceful assembly. The state government has not yet commented on the detentions.

The NEET controversy stems from allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities in the medical entrance exam, which have sparked protests across the country. The Ministry of Education has denied the allegations and said an investigation is underway.