Nagpur: As the NEET-UG paper leak protests continue to heat up the political landscape, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule clarified that his ‘nautanki’ (gimmick) jibe a few days ago was aimed at Congress and not the students.Bawankule’s clarification drew a sharp reaction from Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, who warned that the country’s youth were angry and would not back down until Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union education minister.“Rahul Gandhi and the politicians indulged in a gimmick during this agitation. I have never criticised the students’ agitation. Their protest is being staged through a democratic path,” Bawankule said. “Especially what Gandhi did in front of the Prime Minister’s residence, that was ‘nautanki’,” Bawankule said.Wadettiwar countered that the anger on the streets was real and rooted in the govt’s own conduct. “The youths’ sentiments are now inflamed, and I do not think they will calm down until the resignation,” Wadettiwar said. “This govt cannot even act against one minister despite so many instances of paper leaks,” he added.Wadettiwar said the govt should be ashamed that activist Sonam Wangchuk had to fast for 27 days before his protest was acknowledged. “A person agitated for 27 days to press for students’ demands is proof of the govt’s failure. It shows this govt’s dictatorial mindset towards protest. They are least bothered if the students live or die,” he said.Wadettiwar said Congress had placed a set of demands, including the withdrawal of cases against protesting students, and would not relent. “If the govt takes a positive stand, a solution will certainly come out,” he said. “Till then, the youth of Maharashtra are in no mood to sit quiet.”
