Scores of students and people from different walks of life participated in protest marches from different schools and colleges as part of a one-day symbolic ‘satyagraha’ in Hangal of Haveri district on July 23. They condemned the NEET paper leak, lathi charge on protesting students in Delhi, and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In the ‘satyagraha’ organised by ‘Hangal Taluk Shaiskhanika Horata Samiti’ scores of students took part, along with office bearers of different organisations including SFI and DYSF. Hangal MLA Srinivas Mane too came tothe ‘satyagraha’ venue at Mahatma Gandhi Circle to express solidarity with the protestors.

The satyagraha began with rendering of national anthem, national song, state anthem and ‘raita geete’ and tributes were paid to the portraits of 21 students who lost their lives due to the NEET imbroglio.

Making introductory remarks Prashanth Muchchandi condemned in strong terms failure of the government in ensuring foolproof medical entrance examination, which had adversely affected lakhs of aspiring medical students.

As part of the Satyagraha over twenty persons observed fast for the day. Subsequently Samiti office bearers incuding Prashanth Muchchandi, Manjunath Karjagi, Vijaykumar Doddmani and others submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India seeking her intervention in the matter to the tahsildar.

In the memorandum, the Samiti has expressed solidarity with the indefinite fast of activist Sonam Wangchuk and condemned in strong terms the lathi charge on the protesting students.

The Samiti has urged the government to provide appropriate compensation to the families of 21 students who lost their lives, immediate fulfilment of the demands of Sonam Wangchuk, resignation of Dharmanedra Pradhan and strict punishment to those involved in the NEET paper leak.

Published - July 24, 2026 09:51 am IST