On the day the Cockroach Janta Party called off its agitation, students of Nagaland University claimed irregularities in the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) exams.
On the same day that the Cockroach Janta Party called off its 37-day agitation after the Government of India accepted its key demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, students of Nagaland University (NU) threatened to take democratic action if their grievances are left unaddressed. Students are accusing the varsity of serious irregularities in the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) semester examinations, including incorrect marks and an unusually high number of backlogs, since the programme was introduced in 2023. Following complaints from aggrieved students, the Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU) reportedly submitted a formal representation to NU last week, seeking immediate intervention. The grievances highlighted by students include the university's requirement of a minimum score to qualify for re-evaluation and a one-year academic loss faced by those with backlogs. They also alleged that some colleges charge three times the prescribed re-evaluation fee of INR 300 per paper. In addition, the students demanded that the university refund re-evaluation fees in full to candidates whose marks increase by more than 20 per cent after re-evaluation, in accordance with the applicable provisions. These are serious allegations that warrant a thorough and transparent inquiry rather than being swept under the carpet.
Nagaland University would do well to learn a lesson or two from the recent agitation spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which began as a satirical online platform premised on the common issues faced by students across the country and eventually evolved into a massive real-life movement. Student grievances reached a flashpoint following the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) paper, forcing nearly two million students to retake the exam after arduous preparation. The impact was immense, with several students succumbing to the ordeal. Subsequently, the Central Board of Secondary Education faced backlash due to a re-evaluation controversy surrounding the Class 12 results, with students alleging mismatched answer sheets, discrepancies in their scores, and a notable increase in marks upon reassessment. These accumulated grievances, stemming from unaddressed lapses, culminated in widespread youth-led protests, ultimately forcing the Education Minister to resign and compelling the BJP-led government to concede to other demands, including compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET 2026 paper leak. The acceptance of students’ demands should not be perceived as weakness or defeat, but rather as an act of statesmanship. The only detraction from this episode was the delay in taking responsibility for the avoidable lapses and the instances of police brutality against protesters. It is imperative for those in power to heed the voices of the people and implement corrective measures based on merit, rather than emotion or false pride. Nagaland University, too, should seriously investigate the allegations raised by its students and address them promptly. It should take accountability.