Writer Banu Mushtaq joins overnight protest to extend support to students in Hassan

Banu Mushtaq during a night protest organized by progressive groups Hassan on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Noted writer and Booker International Prize winner Banu Mushtaq on Friday took part in a night protest in Hassan, lending support to the protest by students across the country over the NEET-UG paper leak issue.

Addressing a rally near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Hassan, Ms. Mushtaq said being among the well-informed youth made her feel happy and optimistic. “It is not just a protest, it means awareness among the youth. It is the right of every citizen to protest injustice peacefully and within the framework of the constitution,” she said.

The writer said that the future of the country does not lie in buildings or parliament but in the dreams and aspirations of the youth. If their dreams were not given justice, the future of the country would be in the doldrums, she said. “Education is not just a way to get a job, it’s a way to freedom, equality and self-respect,” she said.

Given the size of India’s young population, the country enjoyed a demographic dividend, Ms Mushtaq said. But without measures to ensure quality education, skills and employment opportunities, this dividend was in danger of turning into a burden, she added.

Ms. Mushtaq said that dissent in a democracy is not inflammatory but proof that democracy is alive. “No movement should be seen as an attempt to dethrone the government; it is a way of expressing disappointment and alerting the state to the demands of the people. Anti-national protesters or ‘tukde gang’ and using similar stickers would be an affront to democracy,” she said.

She urged the government to review the NEET system, increase the number of medical seats and clamp down on the “coaching mafia”.

Writers, activists, students and representatives of various organizations participated in the protest organized by All Dalit Federation and Hassana Progressive Forum.

Photographs of police excesses during protests in Delhi and artworks by BS Desai were exhibited. As part of the protest, among other activities to support the student agitation, a meeting of poets took place. Among those present were Dharmesh, Naveen Kumar, Pruthvi of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Ramesh of the Students Federation of India (Hassan).

Published – 25 Jul 2026 19:10 IST