The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress on Monday (September 7) protested against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the building collapse in Satya Niketan that killed seven people. 

AAP staged a protest in Satya Niketan, demanding that the BJP government release a list of people who own paying guest (PG) accommodation in the area. 

AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned who was operating the “PG mafia”, why action was not being taken against illegal PGs and whether influential BJP leaders had financial interests in them. He asked how Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) engineers or police personnel could act against illegal PGs if powerful political figures were running them. 

Mr. Bharadwaj alleged that people on social media had, since Sunday, been claiming that several senior BJP leaders owned properties in the area. “The exploitation of students through expensive PG accommodations, and the MCD’s failure to act against it, is linked to the fact that influential leaders have invested heavily in properties there,” he said. 

He said suspending a single Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner would not solve the problem. “The names of influential BJP leaders whose money is invested here, resulting in the exploitation of students, must be made public,” he said. 

Mr. Bharadwaj also said the Central government must build hostels for students in the area. “Until hostels are constructed and allotted to students, the government should pay students’ PG fees. Only then will the government have an incentive to build hostels quickly, otherwise, it will not,” he said. 

‘Justice for victims’

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav staged a sit-in at the site of the collapse, demanding justice for the injured and the families of those killed. 

Mr. Yadav alleged that corruption in the BJP-led system was responsible for the collapse. He questioned who had permitted repairs to be carried out in the basement of the 50-year-old, five-storey building without safety arrangements after the basement was flooded, and alleged administrative irresponsibility and corruption. 

“The Congress’s protest against the Rekha Gupta government will continue till strict action is taken against the culprits and justice is done to the injured and the families of the deceased students. Municipal Commissioner should resign taking responsibility for the collapse as repeat of such mishaps happen due to corruption in the MCD, from top to bottom,” Mr. Yadav said. 

Govt. responds

Responding to the Opposition’s allegations, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood said, “We are concerned about the safety of the children and about fixing the rotten system that the ‘A-team’ and ‘B-team’ have built up within this administration over the last 27 years. The focus must be on what action needs to be taken.”

While 12 people were located and rescued from the rubble after the Satya Niketan building collapse, a search continued till late on Sunday night for several others whose whereabouts remained unknown, with friends and families awaiting information. 

Students across Delhi University (DU) shared names and photographs and made calls to trace missing friends. Sagar of Motilal Nehru College sought help tracing two friends who lived in the collapsed paying guest (PG) accommodation. 

Students from nearby colleges also joined rescue efforts, helping remove bricks and debris before heavy machinery arrived. They later formed a human chain with the police to clear the road for earthmovers. 

At Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus Metro station, around 400 metres from the collapse site, Saavy, DU president of the All India Students’ Association, scrolled through WhatsApp messages about missing students. 

‘Sharing names, photos’

“We have already received eight such requests. People are calling and sending photographs and names of people who are missing. We have been receiving these messages on our helpline numbers,” she said. 

One message read, “He is my friend who lives in the PG that collapsed. His phone is switched off, and I have no information about him… please, if anyone gets any information about him, kindly message me.” 

Students video-called friends, asking them to search the rubble and surrounding areas and sharing photographs to help trace those missing. Requests came from families unable to contact loved ones. 

Conflicting information was circulating about Yuvraj, with college authorities saying he was safe with his family in Madhya Pradesh, while others claimed he had died. 

“We are trying to contact Yuvraj,” said Unnayan, another student involved in the efforts. 

Aditya and Pawan Kumar were among the other names being circulated. 

Those seeking information were asked to contact Nirali at 9974945558, Saavy at 9871751355 or Arpit at 8887731669. 

Students and several youths gathered at Freedom Park to celebrate the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday. As cheers and slogans criticising the Union government rang the air, they insisted that the movement for education reforms was far from over.

People celebrating as Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union Education Minister, at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Despite the celebratory mood, speakers and demonstrators stressed that their demands extended beyond a single resignation and called for transparent and honest processes going forward.

A large number of students and youths celebrating the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Sunday.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Senior medical professional Ramesh Bellamkonda said, “This [the Minister’s resignation] is a small victory in a big battle,” urging students to continue pressing for systemic reforms.

Ashutosh, a demonstrator, said the protests had shown that the young people could make their voices heard. “It looks like we have made sure that the government knows that they cannot mess with the youth. If we want something as a nation, we will get it.”

Anahita, another demonstrator, described the resignation as an important milestone rather than the end of the movement. “It is just one step in the right direction, but it is not over. We have reached a point where the momentum needs to keep going to make a bigger difference,” she said.

The gathering was organised by the All India Students’ Association, several of whose leaders also sat on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) demanded that the Prime Minister make Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign, withdraw all the cases foisted by the police against the youth and students protesting in New Delhi and tender an unconditional apology on the excesses committed against the protesters seeking action in the NEET question paper leakage issue.

Speaking at a protest organised by the BRS student wing, BRS Vidyarthi, at Indira Park here on Friday to express solidarity with students protesting in Delhi on the NEET question paper leakage issue, working president of BRS K.T. Rama Rao said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was playing with fire by trying to suppress the voice of Gen Z. He condemned the attempts to brand the protesters as terrorists, anti-nationals and anti-social elements.

Had the Centre been sincere, it would have already held dialogue with the protesters several times to resolve the issue instead of resorting to oppression and intimidation. There was no leader or the party behind the protesting youth and students, the BRS leader said, adding that voluntary support in the form of various means was an indication of the growing unrest among the youth against the Union Government.

Stating that the country was witnessing a dangerous trend in which those demanding accountability were being targeted instead of those responsible for the failures, Mr. Rama Rao said the voice of India’s youth could not be silenced through force or intimidation and asserted that every attempt to suppress democratic dissent would only strengthen such a movement.

Turning to the State government, he said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was helping divert public attention from the Centre’s failures and alleged that instead of leading a united fight against the Centre on an issue affecting students across the country, Mr. Reddy had chosen to target the BRS for political gains.

He accused Mr. Revanth Reddy of displaying double standards by avoiding any confrontation with the BJP while attempting to divert attention through attacks on the opposition.

The Annamayya district administration on Monday (July 20, 2026) organised the ‘Shining Stars-2026’ and ‘My School, My Pride’ programmes in recognition of academic excellence and to boost confidence among students of government educational institutions.

Minister of Roads and Buildings and Annamayya district in-charge Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy felicitated 188 meritorious students who secured outstanding results in the Class X and Intermediate public examinations. Of them, 157 students from Class X and 31 Intermediate students received cash incentives of ₹20,000 each. The Minister distributed a total of ₹37.60 lakh to the students as encouragement for their academic achievements. Students, parents, teachers, and Education Department officials took part in the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Janardhan Reddy reiterated that the State government was focusing on improving educational standards in government schools and colleges by developing infrastructure, enhancing learning facilities, and implementing student-centric initiatives. He stated that Annamayya district’s performance in the recent Class X examinations was outstanding, as it ranked first in the Rayalaseema region, reflecting the collective efforts of teachers, students, parents, and the district administration.

“Recognising talented students will inspire others to aim higher and perform better in future examinations. Students should set clear goals and pursue careers in fields such as civil services, medicine, engineering, and research,” Mr. Reddy said.

Referring to the ‘My School My Pride’ initiative, the Minister said that efforts were underway to improve infrastructure and educational outcomes in government schools. He further stressed the importance of providing nutritious midday meals and regularly monitoring food quality.

District Collector Nishant Kumar and leaders of the coalition parties from across the district were present.

Srikakulam District Joint Collector and Additional District Magistrate, Farman Ahmed Khan, commended the Etihad Muslim Community (EMC) Welfare Society for its sustained commitment to educational and social welfare through its scholarship initiative. The Society’s annual scholarship distribution programme was held with great enthusiasm at the VMRDA Children’s Arena in Siripuram, recently.

Mr. Farman Ahmed Khan, attended the event as the chief guest, while Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, Waltair Division, East Coast Railway, Jusef Kabir Ansari, graced the occasion as the guest of honour. During the programme, EMC distributed scholarship cheques of ₹10,000 each to 220 meritorious students from Class VII to degree level, amounting to a total scholarship assistance of ₹22 lakh. The beneficiaries were selected based on academic excellence and financial need.

Addressing the gathering, EMC president Jeelani Hazari said that since its inception in 2016, the Society has been supporting deserving students from economically weaker sections by providing scholarships annually.

EMC Vice-President Zafar Hosain, Secretary Sheikh Subhani, members of the Society were present.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on Friday demanded that the National Testing Agency (NTA) release the attendance figures of candidates who appeared for the NEET-UG re-examination held on June 21.

The outfit said the NTA has so far only stated that “more than 20 lakh aspirants” appeared for the test and noted that around 22 lakh candidates had appeared for the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, raising concerns over the two lakh candidates who may not not have appeared for the re-examination. 

The SFI alleged that the cancellation of the May 3 examination had adversely affected aspirants and their families, leading to mental and emotional distress. The students’ outfit also claimed that around 20 students took the extreme step following the alleged paper leak.

The SFI said it has launched a ‘NEET Complaint Cell’ to assist affected students and their families and added that it would take up “valid complaints and suggestions” through legal and political means.

As candidates prepare to retake NEET-UG on Sunday, most point out that this has only increased the mental pressure and stress they face. “As the paper was leaked last time, I am scared it would be a very tough question paper for this exam. This worry is causing me undue stress and I’m not able to sleep,” said Kudiyarasi K. from Chennai.

While many students are hoping that the re-exam will be held with no glitches, most point out that they have lost hope in a fair examination. After the NEET-UG, originally held on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 amid allegations of a question paper leak, students had expressed their disappointment. Preethi (name changed) said she could not study anything new as it took at least a week for her to get over the shock. “All we can do is revise, even that is of no help as we had poured our soul into the exam and had just started relaxing when the news broke. Now, I feel like I’m back to square one,” she said.

1,42,489 students

According to officials, 1,42,489 candidates will write NEET at 307 centres in Tamil Nadu on Sunday. In Chennai, 22,128 students will be write the exam at 43 centres. A.M. Srinithi, 17, started training for NEET at a franchise coaching institute while simultaneously studying Class 12 in 2025 in Tiruchi. Though her institute offered free tutoring for the re-test, she opted to study on her own. Though becoming a doctor had been a dream since childhood, Srinithi said her NEET experience had changed that outlook. “My parents, like many others, have spent over a lakh on my coaching classes alone. I don’t want to waste time and money chasing an uncertain dream.”

M. Vignesh of Alagapuram in Salem Corporation said he prepared well for the exam held in May. “For the past month, I have been preparing for the re-exam. I believe this time I will perform well and clear it. But the whole experience has been stressful for me as well as my parents,” he added.

The State government had offered a free coaching programme for NEET to students of government and aided schools. In Tiruchi, teachers held special coaching sessions to ensure students were adequately prepared for the re-test. “Despite the additional pressure, many candidates remain focused on achieving their goals and view the re-examination as another opportunity to prove themselves,” said Nataraj, district organiser of the initiative.

Opting out

However, some candidates, such as M.R. Guru, have opted out of the retest despite writing the exam on May 3. A CBSE student from a private school in Coimbatore, Guru said: “I spent nearly three years preparing for NEET and around ₹4.5 lakh on coaching alone. Medicine was my ambition, but the examination process itself has been mentally exhausting. After writing the test, I was already under stress waiting for the results. The announcement of a retest created uncertainty again,” he said, adding that he decided to join an engineering course.

For 19-year-old Sahana, the re-exam is not just an academic hurdle, it has brought forth a wave of financial and personal stress. After her initial exam, she and her family had planned a highly anticipated trip, booking tickets months in advance. Because her parents are government employees, securing the necessary leave planning six to seven months ahead. The rescheduling of the exam forced them to scrap the entire trip, incurring a loss of nearly a lakh in non-refundable bookings. Adding to the burden, Sahana was also hit with extra fees from her private coaching institute to sustain her preparation.

Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam (MMI) founder and education activist V. Eswaran said the retest issue highlighted the need for decentralisation in medical admissions.

He said a single national-level examination should not be the sole criterion for admission to medical courses. “States must be given a greater role in the admission process. Students spend months preparing for the examination and any disruption, including a retest, creates uncertainty and stress. Decentralisation would help ensure that admissions are better aligned with the educational systems and needs of individual States,” he added.

With schools across Telangana set to reopen from Monday (June 15) for the 2026-27 academic year, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) officials were directed to ensure that sufficient public transportation buses are available in all routes so that students do not have issues in commuting to schools.

The corporation’s Managing Director Y. Nagi Reddy on Sunday instructed officials of all regions, Depot Managers to focus on regularising bus services according to timings of schools, especially for students who commute from rural areas. All previously operated bus routes have to be restored.

The Managing Director said that as there are 227 working days in the academic year, the transport services were scheduled accordingly. Mr. Reddy said that services have to be operated strictly according to schedule so that students are not made to wait for a long time. If need be, additional trips have to be made.