Police used water cannons to disperse Students’ Federation of India (SFI) protesters during a march in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The Kerala SFI Protest was organised against the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities, with protesters demanding a re-examination and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Kerala SFI Protest Turns Tense
The Kerala SFI Protest turned tense after demonstrators attempted to cross police barricades during their march.
Police used water cannons to stop the protesters from moving forward. The demonstration was organised by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The protest was part of a series of nationwide demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities.
Protesters Demand Re-Exam
SFI leaders demanded a fresh NEET-UG 2026 examination, alleging that paper leaks and irregularities affected the fairness of the test.
The organisation also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the issue.
According to reports, more than 20 lakh students appeared for the examination, and concerns over the alleged irregularities have led to protests in several parts of the country.
Political Debate Intensifies
The police action in Congress-ruled Kerala sparked political debate on social media.
Several users compared the incident with police action against student protests in other states, questioning what they described as selective criticism of the use of force against demonstrators.
The comments shared online represent political opinions and have not been officially verified.
No Injuries Reported
No injuries were reported during the protest.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its probe into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 irregularities. The matter also remains under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court as investigations continue.

