NEET Protest – Mamata Banerjee Condemns Police Action, Backs Opposition Demonstration in Delhi

NEET Protest –The political confrontation over the alleged NEET paper leak intensified on Tuesday after Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the police action against demonstrators in Delhi. She described the handling of student protesters as unacceptable and announced her party’s support for the Opposition’s sit-in near the prime minister’s residence, where leaders demanded accountability from the Union government.

Opposition Leaders Raise Demand for Minister’s Resignation

Senior Opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and representatives from several political parties, gathered outside the prime minister’s residence to protest the alleged police action against students demonstrating over the NEET paper leak controversy. During the protest, they demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that the government’s response to the issue had raised serious concerns among students and the Opposition.

The demonstration marked another escalation in the ongoing political debate surrounding the examination controversy, which has remained a major issue in Parliament and outside it.

Mamata Banerjee Voices Strong Objection

Responding to the developments, Mamata Banerjee criticised the police action in Delhi through a social media statement. She said the treatment of young protesters was unacceptable and accused the Union government of failing to handle the situation appropriately.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also announced that the All India Trinamool Congress stood firmly with the Opposition’s protest. According to her statement, the party extended its complete support and solidarity to the leaders participating in the sit-in demonstration near Akbar Road.

Allegations Over Disruptions in Kolkata

Apart from commenting on the events in Delhi, Banerjee also levelled allegations regarding incidents that she claimed occurred in Kolkata ahead of the Trinamool Congress’ annual Martyrs’ Day programme.

She alleged that BJP workers attempted to disrupt preparations for the event during the previous night. According to Banerjee, groups arriving on motorcycles allegedly damaged signboards, vandalised parts of the stage and cut microphone cables to interfere with the arrangements.

She further claimed that several young party workers were threatened and injured during the alleged incidents. However, no independent confirmation of these allegations was immediately available.

TMC Says Programme Continued Successfully

Despite the alleged disruptions, Banerjee stated that the Martyrs’ Day programme was conducted as planned. She said party workers and supporters from different districts of West Bengal participated in the event in large numbers.

Reiterating her party’s political position, Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress would continue opposing what she described as authoritarian policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She added that the party intended to carry its political campaign beyond West Bengal while standing together with Opposition parties on issues affecting democratic rights.

Abhishek Banerjee Criticises Handling of Protest

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also reacted to the developments in Delhi. In a social media post, the Diamond Harbour MP questioned the treatment of Rahul Gandhi during the protest and emphasised the constitutional role of the Opposition in a parliamentary democracy.

He stated that the Opposition should not be viewed as an adversary of the State but as an essential constitutional institution. He also argued that respect for constitutional offices should remain consistent and that demands for accountability should not be met with intimidation.

The remarks from both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee reflect the growing political divide over the alleged NEET paper leak and the government’s response to protests. The issue continues to generate debate among political parties, with the Opposition pressing for greater accountability while the controversy remains a significant national political matter.