Mumbai Police have begun issuing notices via WhatsApp to hundreds of individuals who participated in recent protests across the city concerning alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination. The notices, served under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), direct recipients to appear before investigating officers rather than face arrest, a provision applicable to offences punishable by imprisonment of less than seven years. This development follows days of demonstrations and police action related to the examination controversy.
Police Action and Student Concerns
The issuance of these WhatsApp notices has drawn criticism from student organizations, who claim it is an attempt to intimidate young people involved in expressing their dissent. Reports indicate that at least seven First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged against over 300 individuals in connection with protests held at various locations in Mumbai. Approximately 600 people named in FIRs related to a protest outside Shivaji Park have contributed to a total of nearly 900 individuals facing action.
One recipient of a notice, a law student from Mumbai, described receiving the WhatsApp message in the early hours of Tuesday, requesting her appearance at the Shivaji Park police station. She had been detained the previous day for intervening during the protest, an incident that concluded with her release and no further immediate repercussions until the arrival of the WhatsApp notice.
Context of the Protests
These protests in Mumbai were held in solidarity with larger demonstrations occurring elsewhere in the country, notably those led by activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi. The core demands of the protesters include accountability for alleged malpractices in the NEET examination and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Student groups have voiced concerns that the scale at which these notices are being issued is unprecedented.
Prohibitory Orders Imposed
In anticipation of and response to the ongoing protests and potential for further unrest, Mumbai Police have imposed prohibitory orders across the metropolis. These orders, effective for a specified period, ban the assembly of five or more persons in public areas. The measure aims to maintain public order, prevent disturbances, and ensure public safety, leading to an increased police presence in key areas. The restrictions also encompass limitations on the use of loudspeakers and amplifying instruments.
The backdrop to these events includes nationwide calls for transparency and fairness in competitive examinations, with allegations of paper leaks and systemic failures casting a shadow over the future of countless students. Student federations and various political parties have been vocal in their demands for action against those responsible and for reforms within the examination and testing agencies.
The situation in Mumbai reflects a broader national conversation about student rights, the integrity of examinations, and the state’s response to public dissent. The use of WhatsApp for official police notices marks a contemporary approach to disseminating such directives, while the prohibitory orders signal the authorities’ intent to manage public gatherings closely during this sensitive period.
The Chenab Times News Desk