Thane: Following nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET and CBSE examinations, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. Marking what it described as a major victory for students, the Thane City District Congress Committee organised a ‘Students’ Victory March’ on Saturday.

The march was held under the leadership of Thane City District Congress President Rahul Pingale, following the directions of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal. The procession began at the Congress office in central Thane and passed through Station Road, Ashok Talkies, Thane ST Stand, and Thane Railway Station before concluding at the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Participants paid tribute at the statue to students who allegedly lost their lives under the pressure created by the examination paper leak controversy.

Congress leaders alleged that the Central Government failed to take responsibility despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of students. They said that while the concerns of lakhs of students and parents were ignored, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became the voice of the students. As protests intensified from the district level to New Delhi, mounting public outrage and opposition pressure reportedly compelled the Centre to respond, ultimately leading to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Participants in the march stated that this was not the victory of any single political party but the triumph of the struggle waged by millions of students across the country. Former MP Kumar Ketkar, Dharmarajya’s Rajan Raje, state office-bearers Vishwas Udagi, Gajanan Desai, Pradeep Rao, Madhu Mohite, and Mohan Tiwari, along with representatives of social organisations such as Samata Vichar Pracharak Sanstha, NAPM (National Alliance of People’s Movements), Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, Congress state members, block presidents, cell presidents, office-bearers at various levels, party workers, students, and women, participated in large numbers in the protest march.

“The Central Government, which gambled with the future of students, was ultimately forced to bow before the unity of the people and the students. This is not merely the victory of one political party but the victory of millions of students, parents, and every citizen who fought for justice. The Congress will continue to intensify its struggle until transparency is ensured in the education system and justice is delivered to students.”

— Rahul Pingale, President, Thane City District Congress Committee