By Matters India Reporter
NEW DELHI, July 24, 2026: Don Bosco Youth Animation India has issued a strong statement of solidarity with young people protesting against examination paper leaks, including irregularities in the NEET, the sole national medical entrance test in India, and alleged excessive use of force against demonstrators.
The statement affirms that “peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right” and condemns “all forms of violence and police atrocities against students raising legitimate concerns.”
It calls on authorities to act with “transparency, accountability, and moral courage.”
“Where serious failures of responsibility have occurred, the concerned authorities must accept accountability and, on moral grounds, consider resigning from their positions,” the statement notes.
The youth animation body demands justice for students who lost their lives due to paper leaks and strict action against those responsible for corruption and malpractice. It urges the Government of India to choose “the path of peace, justice, and dialogue with young people — described as the ‘future pillars of our nation.’”
Father Patrick Lepcha, Director of Don Bosco Youth Animation South Asia, emphasized: “Our young people are the heartbeat of the nation. Their voices must be heard with respect, their dreams safeguarded with integrity, and their future protected with justice.”
Salesian Youth Movement in India
The Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) traces its roots to St. John Bosco, founder of the Society of St. Francis De Sales, popularly known as the Salesians of Don Bosco.
SYM functions across 11 Salesian provinces in India, reaching young people through schools, colleges, parishes, oratories, youth centres, hostels, technical institutions and social-development programmes.
At the local level, youth participate in “faith formation, cultural activities, sports, leadership programmes and social service.”
SYM India is divided into four zones under the “Leaders and Animators Formation Programme” (LAF): North-East (Dimapur, Guwahati, Shillong), Central (Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad), Southern (Bengaluru, Chennai, Trichy) and Western (Mumbai, Goa).
The spirituality of SYM is centred on Jesus Christ, helping young people “discover God’s love, grow in faith and become missionary disciples.”
Inspired by Mary Help of Christians, Salesian spirituality is characterized by “joy, optimism, friendship, community, prayer, service and the active presence of educators and animators among young people.”
The four essential dimensions of Salesian youth ministry are “Education to Faith; Educational and Cultural Growth; Social Experience and Commitment; and Vocational Development.”
SYM responds to challenges faced by Indian youth — “unemployment, poverty, social inequality, digital influences, mental and emotional pressures, ecological concerns and cultural diversity” — by promoting “human dignity, social justice, peace, responsible citizenship, care for creation, ethical use of social media and solidarity with the poor and marginalized.”
The goal of SYM is to help young people “encounter the divine, grow in human and spiritual maturity, discover their vocation, become protagonists of their own lives and serve society with responsibility and compassion.”
Father Lepcha concluded: “The Salesian Youth Movement is a powerful expression of Don Bosco’s continuing dream: young people passionate about Jesus Christ, dedicated to other young people, and empowered to become stakeholders of their own lives and transform the Church and society with reason, religion and loving kindness.”
(Photo supplied)
