RANCHI, July 25 -- A 'Day of Protest' was observed on Friday at Albert Ekka Chowk following a nationwide call by the All India Students Association (AISA). The protest was organised to condemn the police lathi-charge that occurred during the 'Parliament March' on July 20. This march demanded action regarding paper leaks, the dissolution of the NTA, the implementation of a transparent and accountable examination system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. AISA Jharkhand state secretary Trilokinath said that the police lathi-charge on a peaceful protest constituted an attack on democratic rights. He demanded the immediate dismissal of the police officer responsible for the crackdown and called for impartial action. Ranchi district president Vijay Kumar remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence regarding the crackdown on students was unfortunate. He urged the government to act upon the students' democratic demands and demonstrate accountability. District secretary Sanjana Mehta pointed out that several police personnel present during the lathi-charge were not wearing nameplates, which violates regulations. She demanded that the guilty officers be identified and subjected to disciplinary action. The organisation also planned to march to Lok Bhavan on Sunday regarding the same issue. Meanwhile, the political battle over the alleged NEET paper leak intensified in Dhanbad on Friday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Students' Association (AISA) staged separate demonstrations at Randhir Verma Chowk, trading sharp allegations over the issue. The BJP organised a protest against the Congress and burnt an effigy of LoP Rahul Gandhi, accusing the party of exploiting the students' agitation for political gains. Hundreds of BJP workers, led by Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha and Jharia MLA Ragini Singh, participated in the demonstration, raising slogans against the Congress. Addressing the gathering, Raj Sinha said, "The future of lakhs of students cannot become a tool for political opportunism. Those responsible for the paper leak must face strict action, but Congress should stop misleading students and politicising their concerns." Ragini Singh alleged the Congress was selective in raising the issue. "Rahul Gandhi should first answer for paper leak incidents in Congress-ruled states. The party remains silent there while trying to create unrest elsewhere," she said. Meanwhile, AISA members also assembled at the same venue in support of the nationwide student protests over the NEET controversy. Rejecting the BJP's allegations, AISA leaders said the students' movement was aimed at protecting the integrity of examinations and ensuring justice for aspirants. Responding to the BJP's criticism over slogans and branding protesters as the "tukde-tukde gang", an AISA leader said, "Our movement is about justice, transparency and students' rights. Raising the slogan of 'Azadi' means freedom from corruption, paper leaks and injustice-not against the nation." Another AISA leader challenged BJP representatives, saying, "Instead of attacking protesting students, BJP leaders should explain what they have done for Dhanbad's development and focus on ensuring a fair examination system."...