Educational institutions across Telangana remained closed following a statewide bandh organized by several student and youth organizations protesting the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak and repeated irregularities in national-level entrance examinations. The shutdown significantly affected academic activities across the state, with schools, colleges, and universities suspending classes and postponing scheduled examinations.
The protest was organized to demand greater accountability in India’s examination system and to criticize the central government’s handling of competitive entrance tests. Demonstrators also expressed anger over the alleged police action against students who participated in protests in New Delhi over the examination controversy.
The bandh received support from a wide coalition of student bodies, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students’ Federation (AISF), Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), All India Forum for Democratic Students (AIFDS), All India Students Bloc (AISB), All India Progressive Students Union (AIPSU), All India Students’ Association (AISA), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), All India Youth Federation (AIYF), and the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO).
Student leaders renewed their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that he bears moral responsibility for the alleged NEET paper leak and repeated failures in the conduct of national-level examinations. They also called for strict legal action against those allegedly involved in the examination scandal, withdrawal of cases filed against protesting students, and comprehensive reforms to restore transparency, fairness, and public confidence in the country’s examination system.
The protesters further urged the government to provide ₹1 crore in compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the examination controversy, while emphasizing the need to protect students’ rights and ensure accountability within the education system.
The bandh had a widespread impact throughout Hyderabad and several other districts of Telangana. Many government and private educational institutions announced holidays in advance to avoid disruption, while thousands of private schools within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits remained closed. Private junior colleges and degree colleges also suspended academic activities for the day.
Major higher education institutions were similarly affected. Osmania University, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), and Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences postponed examinations scheduled for Friday, stating that revised dates would be announced later.
The movement also gained political backing from major parties in the state. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Congress organized separate demonstrations in support of the students’ demands.
BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao joined a protest led by the party’s student wing near Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad. Addressing demonstrators, he said frustration among young people extends beyond the alleged examination leak and includes concerns over employment opportunities and unfulfilled promises regarding job creation. He also criticized the alleged use of excessive force against protesters during demonstrations in New Delhi and demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister along with the withdrawal of legal cases filed against student protesters.
The Telangana Congress also staged demonstrations in Hyderabad. The protest was led by state Congress Working President M. Anjan Kumar Yadav, who marched with party workers from Adarsh Nagar toward the Indira Gandhi statue at Necklace Road. When demonstrators later attempted to proceed toward Dharna Chowk, police intervened, stopped the rally, and detained several participants before they could continue.
Despite the widespread shutdown, protest organizers described the bandh as peaceful and successful, stating that their movement would continue until meaningful examination reforms are introduced and accountability is ensured for those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
