02 June,2026 08:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
“Yuva Aakrosh Morcha” taken out from Chaityabhoomi to Shivaji Park.
The Mumbai Youth Congress on Tuesday staged a large protest in Dadar against alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities in NEET and CBSE exams, demanding accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest march, titled "Yuva Aakrosh Morcha," was organised by Mumbai Youth Congress president Zeenat Shabrin and led by Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib. It began from Chaityabhoomi in Dadar and proceeded towards the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Shivaji Park, but was halted by police midway, with several participants detained.
Senior Congress leaders, including Congress Working Committee member and former minister Naseem Khan, MLA Bhai Jagtap, and AICC secretary Sachin Sawant, participated in the protest, along with hundreds of students, youth workers, and party activists.
Addressing the gathering, Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib launched a sharp attack on the Centre, alleging a breakdown of trust in the examination system due to repeated paper leak incidents. He said the future of millions of students is at risk and accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of competitive examinations.
Chib further alleged that paper leak rackets were flourishing due to weak governance at the Centre, and called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to take moral responsibility and resign immediately.
Former minister Naseem Khan termed the alleged leaks not just administrative lapses but a result of systemic corruption in the education sector, adding that growing unrest among youth reflected deep public anger over the issue.
MLA Bhai Jagtap accused the government of failing to act against organised exam scams, alleging political protection for those involved. He demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations.
AICC secretary Sachin Sawant said the examination system should be strictly merit-based, but was being undermined by malpractice and financial influence. He criticised the government for what he described as insensitivity towards students' concerns.
During the protest, slogans such as "Stop paper leaks," "Give justice to students," and "Dharmendra Pradhan must resign" echoed through the area.
Mumbai Youth Congress president Zeenat Shabrin said the agitation would continue until justice is delivered to students and strict action is taken against those responsible for alleged leaks, along with reforms to ensure transparency in the examination system.
