A student protest in Assam drew significant public attention after Dibisa Mahanta, daughter of Assam Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta, joined demonstrators demanding accountability over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.
The protest, held in Guwahati’s Chachal area, saw students gathering to voice concerns about the integrity of competitive examinations. Demonstrators called for greater transparency in the examination system and demanded action against those responsible for alleged malpractice.
Images and videos of Dibisa Mahanta participating in the protest quickly circulated across social media. She was seen standing alongside students, holding placards and raising slogans as participants urged authorities to strengthen safeguards against examination-related irregularities.
Her participation attracted widespread attention because her father is one of the senior leaders of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an ally in the BJP-led coalition government in Assam. Keshab Mahanta has served as a minister in the state government for several years, making his daughter’s appearance at a protest directed at the Centre a subject of political discussion.
Student organisations participating in the demonstration said their primary objective was to seek accountability and reforms in the examination process. They argued that confidence in competitive examinations can only be restored through transparent investigations and stronger measures to prevent future irregularities.
Reacting to the development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that peaceful protests are part of a democratic society and that the government respects the right of students to express their views.
He also stated that the concerns surrounding examination-related issues are being addressed at the national level. At the same time, he appealed to the public to remember that Assam is currently dealing with severe floods and urged citizens to support relief and rehabilitation efforts alongside ongoing public discussions.
The demonstration remained peaceful throughout the day, with police maintaining security at the venue. No untoward incidents were reported, and students continued to press for reforms aimed at improving the credibility and fairness of the country’s competitive examination system.
