Left to fend for ourselves: Mother of NEET aspirant who died by suicide after leak

Neelam Chaturvedi joined the CJP protest in Nagpur and demanded the resignations of Narendra Modi and Dharmendra Pradhan.

In Short

• Family alleges no government outreach or compensation after daughter's suicide
• Neelam Chaturvedi vows daily protests until justice and accountability are delivered
• Student protests intensify amid police action, tougher anti-cheating laws proposed

Neelam Chaturvedi, the mother of Akanksha Chaturvedi — the Nagpur NEET aspirant who died by suicide after allegedly coming under severe stress following the May 3 NEET-UG paper leak — on Saturday joined the student protests in Nagpur, saying not a single government representative had visited the family or even called regarding compensation after her daughter's death.

Demanding the resignations of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, she said the agitation and the student movement would continue until justice was delivered.

Neelam Chaturvedi participated in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur, where demonstrators continued to demand accountability over the NEET paper leak controversy.

She said she would continue attending the protest every day and would also join the agitation in Delhi if required.

Recalling the family's ordeal after Akanksha's death on May 20, Neelam Chaturvedi alleged that the family had been left to fend for itself despite the tragedy.

"No one came to see us or tried to know what we were living with. We want justice. If we don't get it, we will keep coming here every day and join the protest," she said.

Calling for stringent punishment against those responsible for the alleged examination leak, she said, "The children who have died, should get justice otherwise this will keep happening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign”.

"People responsible for the paper leak should be hanged. If the government doesn't meet our demands, this movement will continue".

She further alleged that the family had received neither financial assistance nor any official communication after Akanksha's death.

"We haven't received even a call regarding the compensation. There used to be times when it would get months to disburse compensation. But this is the age of technology. If the government does not listen to our pleas now, we will even head to Delhi," she said.

Questioning the functioning of the political leadership, she remarked, "People will decide and make laws now. People will decide which leader should be made to clean the streets because electing leaders has not paid off as our children have died. Now, no children should die because of a paper leak. We want tough laws."

Reiterating her demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Education Minister, she said, "We don't want this government anymore."

She also expressed frustration over unemployment, saying, "Educated people are not getting jobs. Those who don't even know English alphabets are elected. Why?"

Referring to the ongoing student protests against the NEET controversy, Neelam Chaturvedi criticised the alleged police action on demonstrators.

"Students have been treated badly during Delhi protests. How would the government feel if it is done to them? No one wants to hit the streets but you are thrashing young boys and girls. They are fighting for their rights and that's what they want," she said.

She appealed to the Centre to engage with protesters instead of confronting them.

NATIONWIDE STUDENT PROTESTS

Her remarks come amid continuing nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 examination after law enforcement agencies indicated that the examination process had been compromised.

Around 22 lakh candidates had appeared for the test.

The Centre handed the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while over 45 people were reportedly detained in Rajasthan in connection with the alleged leak.

Meanwhile, the government has initiated sweeping reforms within the NTA, proposed amendments to strengthen anti-paper leak laws, announced plans for fast-track courts to deal with examination malpractice, and is holding talks with the CJP over its demands.

However, the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains unresolved, with student groups indicating that protests will continue until they receive what they describe as justice and accountability.

- Ends