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.