SHILLONG: The sentiments and voices of protestors in Delhi echoed in Shillong, with students and parents driving a collective initiative at Don Bosco Square on Monday in solidarity with the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party protests in Delhi and the movement associated with activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Students particularly expressed dissent over the examination paper leaks and the lack of accountability from the government as they held up posters reading, “Books not barriers, learning not politics”, “We demand accountability, transparency, reform”, and “Children and youths are people too, not statistics.”
Speaking to Ukhrul Times, a protestor remarked, “We really need to bring some changes now, because if not now then when? The future of this generation, the coming generation, lies in our hands.” Another protestor also recounted her experience of witnessing her brother fall into depression following the re-NEET examination, which prompted her to support the movement.
A protestor also remarked, “I am sick and tired of hearing of all the deaths of people younger than me because of a corrupt system.”
As the crowd began to grow, so did the chants for justice and the resignation of the Education Minister.The demonstration came as protests intensified in the national capital with Delhi witnessing one of the largest protests in recent years on Monday. Cockroach Janta Party’s “Sansad Chalo” protest march to the Parliament turned violent, with security personnel using lathis and tear gas to disperse the crowd, leaving several people injured.
Despite the deployment of 3,000 security personnel, The Hindu reported that the Delhi Police and security personnel were outnumbered. Amid an internet shutdown, the police swung into action even as CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Minister J.P. Nadda to formally seek Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
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More than 118 police personnel were injured, while 70 protestors were detained, with CJP protestors claiming excessive use of force and the Delhi Police accusing protestors of displaying “unruly, aggressive and violent behavior,” reported PTI.
Following the police action against the protestors, Wangchuk announced the continuation of his indefinite hunger strike on Monday. He said he would continue his fast until youth leaders are allowed to meet parliamentarians or he is permitted to do so from the hospital.
