NEW DELHI: “If your own children were here, would you still do this? Aren’t we your children too?” a tearful protester asked police as security personnel resorted to a lathi charge against demonstrators marching towards Parliament over alleged examination irregularities. As police stopped the march and clashes broke out, a protester was seen crying and pleading with security personnel to allow the protesters to move forward. “Please let us go. Aren’t you pity for us?” she cried, according to news agency PTI. Among those participating in the protest were two specially abled youngsters who conveyed their message through sign language, drawing the attention of fellow demonstrators and volunteers.Sixteen-year-old Kanishka, who said she had skipped school to join the protest, alleged that she was injured during the clashes and that her mobile phone was damaged. Showing bruises on her hand, she said, “In future we will also give exams, so we joined the protest. But here we are being beaten, and my phone has also cracked. These police personnel’s children will also give exams in future, yet they are not letting us protest.” The protest also saw the participation of parents who said they were concerned about the future of students. A woman who arrived at Jantar Mantar with her young son said her husband serves in the police force, but she chose to join the demonstration.“I know my husband would not want me to be here, but I will continue because I don’t want my son to face uncertainty when he appears for exams in the future,” she said. As tensions escalated, some protesters were seen carrying people who had fainted during the march and the clashes, while volunteers distributed water and provided first aid to those in need. The protest drew thousands of participants, with demonstrators pressing for action over the alleged examination irregularities and calling for the education minister’s resignation.
