BJD Youth, Student Wings Stage Massive Protest in Bhubaneswar over NEET-UG Exam Cancellation

Bhubaneswar: The youth and student wings of the Biju Janata Dal staged a massive protest here on Wednesday against the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination following allegations of a paper leak.

The members of the Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) took to the streets raising slogans against the examination system and demanding accountability over repeated irregularities in national-level entrance examinations. They also burned an effigy during the demonstration, accusing the authorities of “playing with the future of students.

Holding banners and placards condemning the NEET controversy, the agitators said lakhs of aspirants across the country have been pushed into uncertainty due to repeated failures in maintaining the sanctity of the examination process. They marched through the city demanding immediate action and a fair resolution to the crisis.

The protest comes a day after BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, calling it a “severe blow” to the sacred trust students place in India’s examination system.

In a strongly worded statement, Naveen said compromising the sanctity of examinations amounts to a betrayal of lakhs of aspirants who dedicate years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice in pursuit of their dreams.

“When the sanctity of examinations is compromised, it is not just a lapse—it is a betrayal of lakhs of aspirants who studied with discipline, sacrificed comforts, and devoted sleepless nights to their preparation. This is not the first time NEET papers have been leaked. The leaks deepen cynicism, heighten anxiety, and jeopardize the careers of hardworking students who expect fairness”, Naveen said.

Expressing concern over the future of India’s youth, the BJD President said the country cannot afford to gamble with the destiny of students and stressed the urgent need to restore integrity and credibility in the examination process.
He further said the system must reassure every student that their hard work and perseverance will never again be undermined by lapses in the examination process.