People distributed chocolates, popcorn and snacks at the venue as part of the celebrations
Hyderabad: Students and residents gathered at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue near Liberty and Tank Bund in Hyderabad to celebrate the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
People distributed chocolates, popcorn and snacks at the venue as part of the celebrations.
Sahasra Rao Gaikwad, a NEET aspirant, said she had been part of earlier protests and had planned to travel to Delhi. “I took part in most of the protests against the alleged NEET paper leak in Hyderabad. I had booked a ticket to travel to Jantar Mantar in Delhi this Sunday, but cancelled it after the minister’s resignation.”
She added, “I could not secure a seat because of the alleged corruption in the examination system. When I saw the protests, I could relate to the students’ struggle. I joined the movement because I did not want others to suffer the same fate.”
Mutyala Hari Prasad, a student of Osmania University, said students had been actively involved in the agitation. “Around 20 students from the university took part in the agitation at Dharna Chowk and on the campus. The protests intensified after July 20, and the strength of the movement eventually compelled the Prime Minister to act,” he said.
Fireworks were burst later in the evening as part of another event, but students describing them as part of the celebrations marking what they called a victory for the student community.
