POLITICS

Vijayawada Turns Into Protest Ground as Students Clash with Police Over NEET Leak Allegations

Students gathered at Chalo Lok Bhavan in Vijayawada to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a suspected NEET paper leak. Police in civilian attire allegedly used force to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured and intensifying calls for accountability.

By Open Vaartha Desk ·

TL;DR

Students in Vijayawada clashed with police over a suspected NEET paper leak, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and alleging police deception and brutality.

Key points

<p>On July 20, 2026, hundreds of students and youth activists converged on the Chalo Lok Bhavan complex in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, to stage a sit‑in protest against what they described as a "systemic breach" of the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) examination paper. The demonstration was organized by a coalition of student unions, including the SFI and the AISA, and quickly grew into a large‑scale rally demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom they held responsible for the alleged leak.</p><p>The controversy stems from a leak of the NEET 2026 paper that surfaced on social media in early July, prompting accusations that the examination board had been compromised. While the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched an internal inquiry, the leak has already sparked panic among aspirants, many of whom fear that the integrity of the exam—and consequently their future academic trajectories—has been jeopardized. The student coalition argues that the leak reflects deeper governance failures within the Ministry of Education, citing previous instances of question paper breaches in state‑level exams.</p><p>Police presence at the protest escalated on the evening of July 21, when officers in civilian clothing approached the crowd from behind and began using batons and pepper spray. Several protestors reported being dragged onto the road and struck repeatedly, resulting in injuries ranging from bruises to fractured ribs. Medical volunteers on site documented at least twelve serious injuries, prompting the activists to label the police response as "unprovoked and brutal." The use of plain‑clothes officers has drawn particular criticism, with observers noting that it blurred the line between law enforcement and civilian bystanders, complicating accountability.</p><p>Student leaders also accused the police of a deceptive tactic: officials had promised an appointment with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh to discuss grievances, only to cancel the meeting at the last minute. The claim that the governor would meet protestors was allegedly used to lure participants away from the main venue, after which the police intensified their crackdown. This alleged bait‑and‑switch has become a focal point of the protest narrative, with activists demanding a transparent inquiry into the conduct of the senior police officials involved.</p><p>In response, the Andhra Pradesh Police issued a statement asserting that the force used was "necessary to maintain public order" after a minority of protesters attempted to block a major arterial road. The statement denied any use of plain‑clothes officers, insisting that all personnel were in uniform. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education released a brief note expressing regret over the NEET leak, pledging a swift investigation, and reiterating confidence in Minister Pradhan's leadership. The note stopped short of addressing the allegations of police misconduct, prompting further criticism from civil liberty groups.</p><p>The demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation has resonated beyond Vijayawada, with student bodies in Delhi, Karnataka, and West Bengal issuing statements of solidarity. Political analysts note that the episode could become a flashpoint in the upcoming state elections, where education policy and youth employment are key voter concerns. The protest also revives memories of past student movements in Andhra Pradesh, such as the 2014 anti‑fee agitations, underscoring a pattern of youth mobilization when perceived institutional failures affect their academic futures.</p><p>Human rights organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), have announced plans to send fact‑finding teams to Vijayawada. The NHRC's preliminary observation highlighted concerns over the alleged use of excessive force and the lack of clear communication from police leadership. Legal experts suggest that any investigation into the police's actions will need to address the chain of command, especially given the involvement of Special Branch officers who reportedly coordinated the operation while simultaneously engaging in dialogue with protest leaders.</p><p>The fallout from the protest is already influencing the NEET examination schedule. The CBSE announced a provisional postponement of the June 2026 exam by two weeks to allow for a thorough review of the paper's security protocols. This decision has been welcomed by students but has also raised logistical challenges for exam centers across the country. Education policy scholars warn that repeated disruptions could erode public confidence in the merit‑based admission system that NEET underpins.</p><p>As the situation unfolds, the broader debate centers on the balance between maintaining law and order and protecting democratic protest rights. While authorities emphasize the need to prevent chaos, activists argue that heavy‑handed tactics only deepen mistrust in institutions. The coming days will likely see intensified negotiations, possible legal challenges, and a heightened media spotlight on both the NEET leak investigation and the alleged police misconduct.<br></p>