Hyderabad protests back Wangchuk, slam Delhi police crackdown

Chants of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’, ‘Jai Bhim’, ‘Dharamendra Pradhan should resign’ and ‘We want justice’ echoed through the Press Club in Somajiguda on Tuesday as activists, students and members of the civil society gathered for a meeting in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk and to condemn the alleged use of force against protesters in Delhi the previous day.

The meeting drew hundreds of participants, many of whom expressed concern over the police action during the July 20 demonstrations in the national capital. Speakers described the incident as an attack on the democratic right to peaceful protest and called for accountability from the authorities.

One testimony came from Mohammed Junaid, a Hyderabad-based corporate employee who had travelled to Delhi to participate in the protest. He alleged that protesters were stopped from leaving metro stations, and subjected to verbal abuse and physical assault by police personnel. “I saw people being beaten indiscriminately. Young women were lathi-charged, and I witnessed a protester’s hand being severely injured. Another person suffered a serious back injury,” he said, adding that internet connectivity was disrupted.

Mr. Junaid appealed to the public not to remain silent. “Even now, I shiver when I think about what happened. If you cannot come to the protests, at least raise your voice or pray for those who are standing up. I will return to Delhi again because this fight is not over,” he added.

Students at the gathering said the protest was not limited to support for Wangchuk but reflected broader concerns over accountability, transparency and the right to dissent.

Priti Reddy (name changed), one of the speakers, said she felt compelled to speak despite not being personally affected by recent exam controversies. “I prepared for competitive exams myself. Just because it did not happen during my time does not mean I should remain silent. Speaking up for justice is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.

The solidarity meeting was one of several demonstrations organised across Hyderabad on Tuesday. After the programme at the Press Club concluded, many participants marched to People’s Plaza, where the Disha Students’ Organisation and Naujawan Bharat Sabha organised another protest. Despite moderate rain, protesters gathered in large numbers, raising slogans and demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and calling for action against those responsible.

The protesters demanded an inquiry into the alleged police brutality against women and children during the Delhi protests. They also called for strict action against those responsible, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and that the National Testing Agency (NTA) be scrapped.

In another expression of solidarity, artistes and cultural activists organised a ‘Performance Resistance’ programme at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Gachibowli, using music, theatre and poetry to voice concerns.

Additionally, several protesters also gathered near the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue at Necklace Road, where they raised slogans demanding justice, accountability and action against those responsible for the alleged police excesses and examination irregularities.