NTA sacks 47 officials in major crackdown amid Jantar Mantar protests
The agency responsible for holding the NEET exam would also initiate legal and criminal actions against some of the sacked officials, according to reports.
Trinamool Congress chief and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday strongly condemned the alleged police crackdown on students protesting against the NEET paper leak controversy, accusing the Centre of suppressing democratic dissent instead of addressing the concerns of lakhs of aspirants affected by examination irregularities.
In a post on her WhatsApp channel, Banerjee reiterated her unwavering support for the student movement, describing it as a fight not only against the alleged NEET scam but also for safeguarding the future of India’s youth.
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“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,” she said.
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Referring to the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march in New Delhi, Banerjee alleged that the Delhi Police used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators demanding accountability for repeated examination paper leaks.
“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,” she alleged.
Banerjee further accused the Union government of attempting to crush a peaceful democratic movement by imposing restrictions around the protest site.
“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 said.
Questioning the Centre’s commitment to tackling corruption in examinations, the Trinamool Congress chief referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s reported findings in the 2024 NEET paper leak case and asked why those allegedly responsible had not been brought to justice.
“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?” she said.
Expressing solidarity with the protesting students, Banerjee said the entire Opposition and the country stood behind them.
“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,” she said.
The remarks came amid escalating political tensions over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and irregularities in other competitive examinations, which have triggered widespread student protests across the country.
The July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march witnessed thousands of students attempting to march towards Parliament to demand reforms in the examination system and action against those responsible for repeated paper leaks. The protest ended in clashes after police stopped demonstrators from proceeding towards Parliament.
The Opposition has accused the government of using excessive force against peaceful protesters and has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while also seeking a discussion on the issue in Parliament.
The government has defended the police action as necessary to maintain law and order and has denied allegations that pellet guns were used against demonstrators, maintaining that strict steps are being taken to curb examination malpractices. The controversy has continued to disrupt proceedings in both Houses during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
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