NEW DELHI: Aren’t we your children too? a tearful protester asked police during a lathi charge on demonstrators marching towards Parliament on Monday over alleged examination irregularities.Thousands joined the protest demanding accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to news agency PTI.Security personnel stopped the march, leading to clashes and a lathi charge. Amid the confrontation, several emotional scenes unfolded as protesters pleaded with police to allow them to continue. “If your own children were here, would you still do this? Aren’t we your children too?” a tearful protester asked police as personnel resorted to a lathi charge against demonstrators marching towards Parliament over alleged examination irregularities, PTI reported. As security personnel blocked the march and clashes broke out, the protester was seen crying and appealing to the police. “Please let us go. Aren’t you pity for us?” she said. Among those participating were two specially abled youngsters who communicated through sign language, drawing the attention of fellow protesters and volunteers. Sixteen-year-old Kanishka, who said she had skipped school to join the demonstration, 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.
