A candle march named ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ took place in Ahmedabad, starting from Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan and ending at the statue of Swami Vivekananda at Town Hall. The event aimed to address issues related to examination irregularities, student welfare, and the security of academic futures. Youth groups organized the march, attracting students, youth leaders, and citizens to bring attention to alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive exams.
Participants expressed worries about the prevalence of exam malpractices, particularly in exams like NEET, leading to anxiety and stress among students nationwide. The demonstration also honored Kahan Patel, a Gujarat student who tragically took his own life due to exam-related pressure and uncertainties. Patel, a 17-year-old NEET aspirant, passed away after jumping from a residential building in Ahmedabad.
The incident underscored existing student concerns regarding the disruptions and leaks affecting national-level exams. Speakers and attendees at the march urged for stringent legal actions against those accountable for exam irregularities. They advocated for reforms to enhance transparency, reliability, and accountability in the examination system, aiming to protect students’ academic futures from the repercussions of administrative failures or malpractice.
Representatives from various student and political organizations, including prominent figures like Ramkishan Oza and Dr. Manish Doshi, were present at the march. The event saw participation from NSUI and Youth Congress members, students from different colleges, and associates of Kahan Patel, emphasizing the need for a transparent and fair examination system.
