Cong announces legal aid for paper leak protesters, puts Gen-Z faces upfront with Gurmehar Kaur, youth leaders

India's Congress party has launched a legal support initiative for students impacted by protests against the NEET-UG exam paper leak. The party announced a dedicated helpline to assist students facing police or administrative actions following their involvement in the demonstrations.

Gurmehar Kaur, an activist working with the Youth Congress, presented the details of the legal aid helpline at a press conference in New Delhi. She unequivocally condemned what she described as "attacks on students," referencing a government promise that no student would face repercussions. Kaur highlighted the existence of First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against students in West Bengal and Bihar.

The Congress legal cell's SOS helpline, accessible at 98118-67474, is available for students who have received legal notices, been detained, summoned for questioning, or had social media posts removed. The party's move comes amidst ongoing student protests and demands for accountability regarding the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination.

The party's decision to feature Gurmehar Kaur prominently in its outreach efforts underscores a strategic focus on engaging with the youth demographic, particularly Gen Z, which has been a driving force behind the protests. Kaur, who emerged as a public figure through a viral video a decade ago, represents a non-traditional path to youth leadership, resonating with a generation often critical of established political structures.

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We unequivocally condemn all the attacks on students. The Modi government had promised during the negotiations that no student would be picked up and that there would be no police action against them.