| Almora |
During the visit of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to Almora, Youth Congress workers staged a strong protest against alleged irregularities, corruption, and anti-student policies in Soban Singh Jeena University (SSJU). Protesters waved black flags against the Chief Minister and raised slogans demanding accountability from the university administration and the state government.
Youth Congress leaders alleged that the university has been suffering from administrative failure, financial irregularities, corruption in recruitment processes, and a declining education system for several years. They accused the administration of irregularities in professor recruitment under the reservation roster system and alleged scams in construction works carried out within the university.
Youth Congress leader Gopal Bhatt said that recruitment scams and paper leak cases have become common under the BJP government. He alleged that “education mafias” are receiving political protection, while students and unemployed youth are suffering the consequences.
Referring to the NEET paper leak controversy, Bhatt stated that many students across the country have gone through severe mental stress, and some even ended their lives in despair. He described the situation as unfortunate and blamed the government for failing to protect students’ interests.
He further accused the BJP government of being anti-student, anti-youth, anti-farmer, and anti-women. Bhatt said the Youth Congress would continue its fight for justice and for the rights of students and youth.
The protest began from Gandhi Park, Chaughanpata, where Youth Congress workers organized a rally and attempted to march toward the SSJ University campus. Heavy police deployment was made to stop the protesters from proceeding further.
A heated argument and confrontation took place between police personnel and Youth Congress leaders. Later, several Youth Congress and student leaders were forcibly detained and taken to the police station, leading to anger among party workers.
During the demonstration, protesters raised slogans such as “Save SSJU,” “Vice Chancellor Resign,” “CM Go Back,” and “Stop Corruption.” Demonstrators alleged that the voices of students and youth were being suppressed through police action.
Youth Congress District President Vikram Singh Fartyal questioned why student representatives were not allowed to meet the Chief Minister if the university administration had nothing to hide. He accused the government of using police force to suppress democratic rights.
Youth Congress city president Gaurav Joshi alleged that a “loot and protection” culture had taken over the university system. He claimed that construction work was being carried out without maintaining proper standards and that transparency in recruitment had completely collapsed.
Former student union deputy secretary Gaurav Singh Satwal warned that if students’ voices continued to be ignored, the agitation would intensify in the coming days. He said the Youth Congress would continue its struggle against corruption and anti-student policies at every level.
Youth Congress State General Secretary Kiran Arya demanded a high-level impartial inquiry into the administrative, financial, and academic functioning of the university.
Prominent leaders present during the protest included Gopal Bhatt, Kiran Arya, Vikram Fartyal, Gaurav Satwal, Gaurav Joshi, Kamlesh Bisht, Santosh Kumar, Vinay Kanwal, Abhay Bora, Vishal Kanwal, Manoj Kumar, Ashish Santolia, Virendra Arya, Diksha Suyal, Divyansh Rawat, Vishal Padiyar, Rohit Pant, and Femina Khan, along with several Youth Congress and student leaders.
Several protesters were reportedly detained by the police during the agitation.
