Anna Hazare begins maun andolan in support of protesting students

AHILYANAGAR: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday began a maun andolan (silent protest) in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar in support of students protesting in Delhi over alleged examination irregularities. Hazare's protest comes amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, which has been demanding accountability over alleged examination paper leaks and the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The veteran Gandhian had earlier extended support to the student agitation. He had urged the government to address concerns over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and restore public confidence in the education system. The protest in Delhi has intensified over the past few days, with clashes breaking out between demonstrators and police during the CJP's "Sansad Chalo" march. The Delhi Police has maintained that protesters resorted to violence and stone-pelting, while the CJP has accused security personnel of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. The protest movement has continued despite heightened security across the national capital.