Margao, May 29: The Goa Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, led by its President Archit Naik, staged a massive protest in Margao on Thursday against the NEET paper leak controversy and the growing unemployment crisis affecting the youth across the country.

The protest witnessed the participation of Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib, AICC Goa In-Charge Manikrao Thakare, CWC Permanent Invitee Girish Chodankar, GPCC President Amit Patkar, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira, district Congress presidents, Youth Congress office bearers and hundreds of Congress workers and youth from different parts of Goa.

The protest march began in Margao and culminated outside the BJP South Goa office, where Youth Congress workers burnt an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak issue and action against those responsible.

Addressing the gathering, Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central Government, alleging that the future of the country’s youth was being destroyed due to corruption, incompetence and unfulfilled promises.

He said that the NEET paper leak had shattered the dreams of lakhs of hardworking students and exposed the failure of the Union Education Ministry to ensure fair and transparent examinations.

Chib further criticised the Modi Government over rising unemployment, stating that despite repeated assurances, the youth of the country continue to struggle for jobs and opportunities.

The leaders present at the protest unanimously demanded the immediate sacking of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a comprehensive and impartial probe into the NEET paper leak scandal, strict punishment for those involved, and urgent measures to tackle unemployment.

Speaking on the occasion, Goa Pradesh Youth Congress President Archit Naik stated that the youth of Goa would continue to raise their voice against anti-youth policies and injustice.

“The future of students cannot be compromised. Youth Congress will continue to fight for transparency in examinations and meaningful employment opportunities for the youth of this country,” he said.

The Goa Pradesh Youth Congress also warned that if the government fails to take corrective action, the agitation would be intensified in the coming days.