Hanamkonda Protest Seeks Pradhan’s Resignation
The protest was held as part of the nationwide “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign led by Rahul Gandhi, raising concerns over the credibility of competitive examinations.
Hanamkonda: Congress leaders staged a candlelight rally in Hanamkonda on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet).
The protest was held as part of the nationwide “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign led by Rahul Gandhi, raising concerns over the credibility of competitive examinations.
Organised under the directions of the All India Congress Committee and the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, the rally was led by Hanamkonda District Congress Committee president Inagala Venkatram Reddy.
The march began at Ambedkar Junction and proceeded to the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Public Garden. Participants included Warangal MP Kadiyam Kavya, MLA K.R. Nagaraju, former mayor Gundu Sudharani, and party leaders and workers.
Protesters raised slogans against the Union government, alleging that repeated examination leaks had affected students across the country. Leaders also paid tributes to students who reportedly died under academic pressure linked to the controversy.
Addressing the gathering, Venkatram Reddy said the campaign aimed to safeguard students’ interests and restore trust in the education system.
"We have gathered here as part of a nationwide students' movement to safeguard education and ensure justice for Neet aspirants. The 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign, which began in Kota under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, represents the voice of students demanding accountability and transparency," he said.
Demanding the minister’s resignation, he alleged that repeated leaks in examinations such as Neet, JEE and UPSC had undermined students’ efforts and called for strict action against those involved.
Congress leaders said education was becoming increasingly commercialised and raised concerns over the burden on students and families. Referring to student suicides in coaching centres such as Kota, they said the prevailing examination system had created anxiety among youth.
"The country cannot afford a system where students study relentlessly without confidence that examinations will be conducted fairly. Restoring trust in public examinations and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all must be the government's foremost priority," they said.
The party said its campaign would continue until accountability was fixed and concerns over examination irregularities were addressed.
