This Chennai NEET protest incident feels very uncomfortable honestly,because students reportedly came out for peaceful protest and still situation allegedly turned aggressive . And when students are protesting exam policy,police response becoming centre of story is not small thing ah.
Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has strongly condemned what it says was police action against students protesting National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in Chennai . Their demand was abolition of NEET and support for students affected by Ministry of Education's negligence.
As per reports,SFI had already coordinated with police to gather near Rajiv Gandhi statue at Chinnamalai . So this was not some sudden random gathering from what is being said . But still,things reportedly changed near Saidapet court complex .
Police forces allegedly stopped bus carrying SFI members there . And when protesters started getting down,officers reportedly tried to detain them,turning whole scene chaotic . This is where matter becomes more serious .
SFI has claimed one protester suffered dislocated shoulder during incident . They have also alleged inappropriate handling of female protesters,with male officers reportedly dragging women by their clothing . If true,this is exactly kind of thing that makes people question how protests are being handled.
Few things standing out clearly in this case:
- SFI says students were peacefully protesting against NEET in Chennai .
- Police allegedly intercepted bus at Saidapet court complex and tried to detain protesters.
- SFI claimed one protester suffered dislocated shoulder and female protesters were mishandled .
And tbh,students having right to protest should not become controversial every time . Whether one agrees with SFI or not,young people raising concerns about exam system cannot be treated like law-and-order threat by default.
SFI State President C. Mridula and State Secretary Thou. Samsheer Ahmed have demanded action against police personnel involved . They said action against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable and students must be able to raise concerns without fear of violence or repression.
At same time,this whole NEET issue is already emotional for many aspirants and families . When protest about education turns into allegations of force,injury and mistreatment,it only adds more anger instead of solving anything.
And now question is very simple but also difficult: if students cannot protest peacefully about policy affecting their future,then where exactly are they supposed to go with that anger…
