Kejriwal visits family of late NEET aspirant Siddarth Hegde in Goa; Urges youth to stay strong

Goa Khabar : AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal today visited the family of late Siddarth Hegde, a NEET aspirant from Sao Jose De Areal, Goa, who committed suicide in the wake of the NEET-UG 2026 cancellation. Kejriwal was accompanied by Goa Prabhari Atishi, AAP Goa President Valmiki Naik, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, Sr. VP Sandesh Teleikar Dessai, Working President Gerson Gomes, and VP Roque Mascarenhas.

The leaders offered their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and appealed to students across the country to lean on one another and never lose hope.

Addressing the media, Kejriwal offered condolences and appealed to youth across the country to not take extreme steps, urging them to support one another in this difficult time. Kejriwal alleged that paper leaks are concentrated in BJP-governed states, accused BJP leaders of direct involvement, and charged the CBI with shielding the accused rather than acting against them. He called on the public to take to the streets to demand accountability and ensure no such incident recurs.

AAP Goa President Valmiki Naik stated that the grief of the Hegde family is the grief of every family in Goa whose child had a dream. He said that behind each of the 20 lakh affected students is a family that spent years and lakhs of rupees — many taking loans against their homes — to give their child one chance at becoming a doctor. These are children who studied 10 to 14 hours a day, sacrificing friendships, rest, and their youth. Naik pointed out that this is not an isolated incident but part of a devastating and recurring pattern — in 2024, NEET papers were leaked and sold for 30 to 50 lakh rupees, UGC-NET was cancelled within 24 hours of being conducted, and NEET-PG was postponed four times in four months. The mastermind of the 2024 leak walked free on bail because the CBI failed to file a chargesheet within 90 days. Naik questioned why the BJP government has consistently shielded these syndicates and demanded to know who they are protecting. He reiterated AAP’s full solidarity with every student and family in Goa wronged by this government’s failure.

AAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva said that Siddarth’s tragedy must not be reduced to a news cycle. He noted that the NEET-UG 2026 cancellation is the latest in a long line of examination failures under the Modi government — NEET paper leak in 2017, 2021, 2024 and now 2026 have all collapsed under the same minister, the same Prime Minister, and the same pattern of zero accountability.

As an elected representative, Cruz Silva committed to ensuring that the fight for justice reaches every institution until those responsible are held accountable. He added that AAP stands with the Hegde family in this moment of grief.

AAP Goa reiterated its appeal to all students: you are not alone. Reach out to friends and family. Your are the future of this country, and this fight for a fair system is one we will win together.