23 July,2026 08:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Congress workers stage a protest at Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk in Vashi on Tuesday, demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks
A Congress protest demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks in Vashi on Tuesday took an unexpected turn when a group of college students, gathered just a few metres away, publicly distanced themselves from the political demonstration.
While the Navi Mumbai District Congress Committee demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and raised slogans against the Centre, around two dozen students said they had assembled independently to highlight concerns over the integrity of competitive examinations - not to support any political party.
The two groups shared the same concern over alleged paper leaks, but differed sharply on how the issue should be addressed.
Navleen Bala
"We are not here to support any political party or oppose one. We are here because our future is at stake. Every paper leak steals months of hard work from honest students. We don't need speeches, we need a system that cannot be manipulated."
Arjun Bhavsar
"Whenever an exam is compromised, politicians arrive with microphones. After that, everyone disappears, and students are left with anxiety, uncertainty and another exam date. Stop using us as headlines and start giving us solutions."
Abhishek Nikalje
"Our fight is for education rights, not political mileage. We are not interested in who gets credit or who gets blamed. We want transparent examinations, strict action against those behind paper leaks, and a guarantee that deserving students will not suffer because of corruption."
Congress Students
Sought Dharmendra Called for transparent Pradhan's resignation examinations
Raised slogans against the Centre Stayed away from party politics
Demanded discussion in Parliament Asked for long-term reforms
Focused on political accountability Focused on students' future
