NEW DELHI: Protests over the NEET irregularities spread to several cities on Wednesday, with student groups and political parties taking to the streets as outrage continued over Monday’s police action during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in the national capital.While police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse student protesters in Patna, Congress workers staged demonstrations in Bengaluru and other cities demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Patna: Police use tear gas, water cannons on AISA protesters
Police in Patna used tear gas and water cannons to disperse workers of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), who were protesting over the alleged NEET irregularities and demanding Pradhan’s resignation.Students accused the police of using excessive force during what they described as a peaceful protest.“Paper leaks are happening continuously, which is very wrong. We are protesting peacefully, just like the protest at Jantar Mantar. But the police are becoming violent and using lathi-charge and tear gas against us,” one student said.Another protester said, “Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. Several exams have been leaked because of him, and more could happen if he continues in the position. Our only demand is his resignation.”In a separate development in Patna, BJP and Congress workers clashed outside the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters after BJP workers marched to the Congress office accusing Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of creating “anarchy”.Police intervened after workers from both parties confronted each other. There was no immediate official word on the number of people injured or detained.
Bengaluru: Congress workers detained outside BJP office
Congress workers staged a protest outside the BJP’s Karnataka office over the NEET irregularities, demanding Pradhan’s resignation.Police stopped the march with barricades and took the protesters into preventive custody.Leading the protest, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary S Manohar alleged that the alleged paper leak had eroded public confidence in the country’s education system.“We are staging this protest today, demanding that the Narendra Modi government be dismissed immediately. Dharmendra Pradhan, under whose watch these examination irregularities took place, is being protected by Narendra Modi. He should take moral responsibility and resign immediately,” he said.
Chennai: Congress protests police action in Delhi
According to ANI, Congress workers in Chennai staged a demonstration against the alleged police lathi-charge on protesters in Delhi and the detention of opposition leaders, while also raising the issue of the alleged NEET irregularities.
Hyderabad: Congress and BJP hold rival protests
In Hyderabad, the Telangana Congress organised a protest over the alleged police action in Delhi and the NEET issue.The BJP also held a counter-protest in the city, with Telangana BJP president Ramchander Rao and other party leaders being detained by police while marching towards the Congress office.
Palakkad: Youth Congress, KSU demand Pradhan’s resignation
In Kerala’s Palakkad, the Youth Congress and Kerala Students Union (KSU) organised a march demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET irregularities.
Surat: Congress workers detained during protest
Congress workers in Gujarat’s Surat were detained while protesting against the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and raising the issue of the alleged NEET paper leak, ANI reported.
Delhi protest continues
The nationwide demonstrations come as the CJP’s sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar continues into its second month.The agitation began on June 20, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET irregularities, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Monday’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in Delhi ended in clashes between protesters and police after demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament.The CJP has accused Delhi Police of using excessive force during the crackdown, while police have alleged that several personnel were injured during the violence.Since then, protests over the issue have spread to several parts of the country.
