Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 24 (ANI): Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday extended support to the youth-led protest over the NEET-UG paper leak, condemning police action against protesters in the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march.
In an X post, Mamata Banerjee criticised the Centre for suspending internet in areas around Jantar Mantar in the national capital and invoking the National Security Act (NSA).
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said, “I have stood firmly with the students and their movement from the very beginning. Their fight is not just for justice in the NEET scam- it is a fight to protect the future of every young Indian. The brutal crackdown by the Delhi Police on peaceful protesters is deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable. Students were mercilessly beaten, lathi-charged, fired upon with pellet guns and subjected to tear gas simply for demanding accountability.”
“So fearful is the Union Government of a peaceful democratic movement that it reportedly suspended internet services in and around Jantar Mantar and invoked the draconian National Security Act (NSA) to carry out preventive detentions of students- the very future of our nation,” she added.
Delhi Police have, however, clarified that the routine quarterly renewal of powers under the National Security Act (NSA) has been falsely linked to the ongoing CJP protest.
Mamata also questioned the government after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said that it did not find any evidence to establish the involvement of Sanjeev Kumar alias Sanjeev Mukhiya in the NEET (UG) 2024 paper leak case.
She wrote, “The Prime Minister speaks of zero tolerance towards corruption and promises strict accountability. Yet, only yesterday, the CBI stated that it found no evidence against the alleged kingpin in the 2024 NEET paper leak case. If those accused of destroying the future of lakhs of students continue to escape accountability, who is the government really protecting? Why is it so desperate to shield the Education Minister instead of answering the questions being raised by students across the country?”
“The entire Opposition, along with the entire nation, stands firmly with our students and youth. I salute every young Indian for their indomitable spirit, unwavering courage, and refusal to bow before lathis, intimidation or the abuse of state power. India is proud of you all,” the X post read.
Opposition parties have echoed the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Amid the growing calls for a resignation, earlier today, Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met with the Cockroach Janata Party delegation.
Following the meeting, JP Nadda told reporters, “The meeting went on for almost two hours. They had three main demands and five reform suggestions for exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussion we had with the government.”
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed that the government was positive on their other two demands, which included compensation for suicide victims of the NEET leak and no FIRs against protesting students. (ANI)
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