Social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday conducted a two-hour silent protest in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra in support of the protesting students. Their movement started at 11 in the morning and ended at 1 in the afternoon. Hazare protested near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Ahilyanagar and after that he left for his village Ralegan Siddhi located in the same district. He has also written a letter to PM Modi last Wednesday, in which he has said that the news of violence and police action is very painful.
Anna Hazare has further said in the letter that the dissatisfaction of the protesters should not be seen as a law and order problem, but as the pain and expectations of the society. Without naming Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, he said that if any minister is asked to resign, it will not bring down the government, but will make its functioning more accountable and effective. He has requested the government to listen patiently to the protesters, create an environment of trust and find solutions through positive dialogue.
According to reports, referring to the NEET exam, Hazare has written in his letter that allegations of question paper leak and serious irregularities will come to light in 2024 and again in 2026. He also expressed concern over reports of 22 students committing suicide after the medical entrance examination was cancelled. Anna Hazare also wrote that whenever irregularities or scams came to light, the responsibility was often placed entirely on lower level officials, while the government itself took credit for positive outcomes. He further said that the government should respond with accountability instead of considering peaceful protests as a law and order issue.
At the same time, on this issue, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that on behalf of the government, we are ready to discuss, the government is ready to talk to the students. He said that a proposal has been made to hold talks 4 times from yesterday afternoon to today afternoon. The PM is sensitive about this issue, I humbly request you to come sit and discuss. He further said that we are ready to talk on the conditions of the students.
