Students Islamic Organization of India, Solidarity Youth Movement hold rally in Basavakalyan condemning police excesses against protesting students in Delhi

Members of the Students Islamic Organization of India and Solidarity Youth Movement along with students and activists protested in Basavakalyan on Thursday demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Students Islamic Organization of India (SIO), Basavakalyan unit and Solidarity Youth Movement (SYM) jointly organized a protest rally and public meeting in Basavakalyan on Thursday, condemning the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, the alleged police action against student protesters in New Delhi and the demolition order issued against the Mohammad Ali Jauhar University.

The rally started at Gandhi Chowk and culminated in a public meeting at Ambedkar Chowk after passing through the city. A memorandum addressed to the President of India urging reforms to the national examination system and protection of students’ rights has been submitted to local authorities.

In a public meeting, Zabiullah Khan, president of SYM, said that students protesting in Delhi were subjected to excessive police force and called for an independent inquiry into the alleged NEET irregularities.

He demanded that the National Testing Agency (NTA) be abolished and national entrance examinations be decentralized to ensure greater transparency and accountability. He also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan holding him morally responsible for alleged irregularities in the examination system.

Mujtahid Omer, president of the SIO, said that education is a fundamental right and urged the authorities to ensure that the admission process remains transparent, fair and accessible to all students. He also reiterated the demand for abolition of NTA and decentralization of national entrance examinations.

Asad Ullah Khan, State Secretary, SYM urged the Union Government to address the concerns raised by the students, protect their constitutional right to education and withdraw the demolition order against Mohammad Ali Jauhar University.

Riyaz Patel of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights has previously criticized the recurring exam irregularities and alleged document leaks, saying they have eroded students’ confidence in the education system.

Advocate Rajshree, Zoha of Girls Islamic Organization, Sandeep Mukhunde of Karnataka Vidyarthi Sangha and Zulfeqar Chabukswar of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind also addressed the rally and called for exam transparency, equal access to education and protection of students’ rights.

The memorandum demanded abolition and decentralization of the NTA, an independent inquiry into alleged NEET irregularities, a fair and transparent examination system, withdrawal of the demolition order against Mohammad Ali Jauhar University and measures to ensure students’ constitutional right to education.

Students and representatives of various organisations, including Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Karnataka Vidyarthi Sangha, participated in the rally and raised slogans in support of education reforms and justice for students.

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Published – 23 Jul 2026 18:48 IST