NEW DELHI: India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on Thursday called for an education system that “inspires confidence” as protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam continue across the country, with several students dying of suicide.Without commenting directly on the ongoing protests or calls for the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Bindra said the focus should remain on building a transparent and merit-based education system.“I have never considered myself a political person. But I believe that some problems belong to all of us, regardless of where we live. Education is one of them,” Bindra wrote on X.“The measure of a nation lies not only in its economy or its achievements, but in the opportunities it creates for its youth. An education system that inspires confidence, rewards merit and nurtures curiosity is one of a nation’s greatest strengths,” he added.“I hope that we can all unite and work together to continuously strengthen our education system, so that it remains a source of opportunity, innovation and hope for generations to come,” he said.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin also spoke about the issue, saying that he was very troubled by the pressure students face while preparing for important exams and that such concerns should not be ignored.“We have to be responsible,” Sarin wrote about X.“As a young Indian who is proud to represent this nation, I am in pain. The pressure that a young person suffers when appearing for a critical examination is not trivial. Brushing it under the carpet is not acceptable,” he added.The protests are being led by the Cockroach Janata Party, with environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk extending support through an indefinite fast.Wangchuk, who was fasting at Jantar Mantar, was first shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after doctors raised concerns over his falling vital parameters.He was later shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after his wife approached the Delhi High Court seeking his transfer from the government-run hospital.On July 20, thousands of students tried to march towards the Parliament to protest against the irregularities in the NEET examination. The march was stopped by the Delhi Police, who used tear gas and carried out a lathi charge to disperse the protesters.