Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Murli Manohar Joshi, voiced worry about the ongoing protests against the NEET exam-paper leak. He emphasized that the issue should not be solely handled as a law-and-order problem requiring force. Joshi empathized with the students’ genuine anxieties and stressed the need for a lasting solution.
The standoff between activists and the government escalated as protests over exam-paper leaks spread across various parts of India, including New Delhi. Joshi, who previously held the Human Resource Development portfolio, highlighted the genuine concerns of students and urged for a compassionate approach to address the flaws in the examination system. He expressed discomfort over the use of force on young protesters, emphasizing the importance of understanding their grievances.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of fast-track courts to swiftly punish those responsible for the exam-paper leaks. He underscored the significance of prioritizing the welfare and future of the youth, aiming to rebuild trust in the examination system. However, critics argue that the focus should extend beyond addressing the aftermath of leaks to fixing systemic issues in India’s education infrastructure.
Student groups, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, rejected the Prime Minister’s announcement as insufficient. They demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him directly accountable for the recurring exam irregularities. Protests that originated at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar have now spread to major cities, disrupting the Monsoon Session of Parliament as both the Treasury bench members and the Opposition engage in a standoff.
