GUWAHATI: Responding to the call of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), the Kamrup Metro District Students' Union on Sunday, July 19, organised a candlelight vigil at Swahid Udyan in Guwahati's Chandmari, expressing solidarity with educationist and social activist Sonam Wangchuk and his ongoing non-violent democratic protest.
ALSO READ: AASU Hosts Candlelight Gathering to Back Sonam Wangchuk's Democratic Protest
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the programme, AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjee said that irrespective of ideological differences, Wangchuk's protest concerns the future of millions of students across the country. Referring to the alleged NEET question paper leak and the growing influence of "question paper mafias", he said such incidents have eroded the confidence of young people in the education system and, in several cases, have pushed students towards taking extreme steps.
Bhattacharya stressed that educational reforms and greater accountability of the concerned authorities have become essential. He said AASU stands in solidarity with Wangchuk's peaceful and democratic movement and urged the government not to treat the issue as a matter of prestige but instead resolve it through dialogue.
He also criticised the reported forcible removal of Wangchuk from the protest site, describing the action as condemnable and unacceptable.
In a joint statement, Kamrup Metro District Students' Union president Bipjyoti Malakar and general secretary Samiran Kalita demanded that the government initiate discussions to find a solution to the issue. They said the organisation seeks a secure future for the country's students and called upon the government to respect peaceful democratic protests by opening channels for dialogue.
The candlelight vigil witnessed the participation of many AASU members along with more than 300 student activists representing various regional AASU units and colleges under the Kamrup Metro District Students' Union.