BJP calls for Telangana bandh on May 2, demand justice for Inter students

On May 2, the BJP announced statewide bandh seeking justice for intermediate students who took their lives due to alleged failures of the Intermediate Board of the State of Telangana (TSBIE).

More than 20 students have committed suicide for not clearing the exams. The students claim large-scale discrepancy in the intermediate results.

On Tuesday, for the second day, the ABVP activists of the RSS student wing protested at CM's official residence. Another group of BJP leaders, including former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, was captured while performing a sit-in at the Ambedkar statue of Tank Bund. On Wednesday, the BJP also announced a candle-light protest.

On Monday, the BJP State President K Laxman initiated an indefinite hunger strike against the government demanding the dismissal of the TSBIE secretary, A Ashok. However, he was forcibly admitted to the NIMS hospital by the police. Continuing his protest at the hospital, he said: "My protest will not stop as long as the Intermediate students get justice."

Requesting the students not to take an extreme step, he said: "Students must not give into pressure. We are there for you. We won't stop the protest until the government comes down."

Laxman also demanded ex-gratia from the government to the parents of students who committed suicide.

After several suicides, and with many alleged discrepancies in the evaluation of the examinations, the government has set up a three-member committee to investigate the allegations.

In a few days, the committee issued a report, but its conclusions were vague. Although the research panel suggested that both TSBIE and Globarena, the technology companies that carried out the evaluation, were guilty, said the variation was not "significant" compared to the results of the year 2017 and 2018.

Education Minister Jagadish Reddy had previously stated that he will take action after the investigation report came out and discovered discrepancies. However, no action has been taken against any errant officer.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders have asked Education Minister Jagadish Reddy to resign for not fulfilling his duties, which led many students to commit suicide.