Bengaluru: The All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights (AKUCFHR) has expressed solidarity with students and youth protesting in Delhi over the alleged NEET paper leakage, calling on the government to engage in dialogue and address their concerns with urgency, compassion and fairness.
The forum members comprise Assemblies of God, Baptist Church, Believers Eastern Church, Roman Catholic Church, Church of South India, FCCO, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, Malankara Orthodox Church, Marthoma Syrian Church, Methodist Church and Seventh Day Adventists.
In a press statement signed by the Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, who also serves as chairman of the AKUCFHR, said the anger and anxiety reflected in the student protests were rooted in genuine fears about their future. It said the voices of young people should be heard with sensitivity and respect, rather than met with indifference.
“The anguish of thousands of students who have taken to the streets reflects a growing sense of anxiety and uncertainty about their future,” the statement said. “Their aspirations, hopes and trust deserve to be met not with indifference but with compassion, understanding and meaningful engagement.”
The forum said it was disappointed that, even after considerable time, no constructive dialogue had been initiated to address the concerns raised by the student community. It appealed to the government to rise above all other considerations and open a channel of discussion with the protesting students.
“We earnestly appeal to the Government to rise above all considerations and engage with the students in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect,” the statement said. “A just and peaceful resolution can only emerge through dialogue and a willingness to listen.”
The statement the forum stood with students in their quest for justice, dignity and a secure future, while urging all stakeholders to maintain peace, non-violence and mutual respect.
“We express our solidarity with the students in their legitimate quest for justice, dignity and a secure future,” the statement said. “Their unity, discipline and determination are inspiring and should become a beacon of hope for our nation.”
The forum also said it was offering prayers on behalf of the Archdiocese of Bangalore and the wider Christian community for divine guidance for those responsible for resolving the matter. It said justice must prevail and peace must be restored so that young people can look to the future with renewed confidence.
The statement comes amid growing concern over the fallout from the alleged leakage of the NEET paper, which has triggered protests by students demanding accountability and corrective action. The AKUCFHR’s intervention adds a moral and civic voice to the widening debate, underscoring the importance of dialogue in defusing unrest and restoring trust among students.
The forum, headquartered at Archbishop’s House in Benson Town, Bengaluru, represents a coalition of Christian denominations across Karnataka. Its appeal reflects wider unease within civil society over the impact of the controversy on lakhs of aspiring medical students and their families.