Why were students seeking justice met with lathis, tear gas: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday strongly criticized the government, demanding an immediate parliamentary discussion on the alleged use of force against students protesting at Jantar Mantar. The students were demonstrating against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) paper leak and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Kharge, who is also the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, expressed his dismay over the "tragic incident" where students raising concerns about the NEET examination were reportedly subjected to baton charges and tear gas. He took to his official X account to voice his condemnation, highlighting the government's alleged attempt to suppress the students' voices.

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Yesterday a very tragic incident occurred. In that unfortunate incident, our students, who were raising their voices regarding the paper leak and the NEET examination, were subjected to baton charges and tear gas, and were beaten.

Thousands of students had gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday, ahead of a planned march to Parliament organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), to demand Pradhan's resignation. Police reportedly resorted to baton charges to disperse the crowd, and prohibitory orders were imposed around the New Delhi area, with the Delhi Police denying permission for the march.

In solidarity with the protesting students and in light of the alleged crackdown, Kharge announced that he would not be celebrating his birthday on Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of an independent and merit-driven education system, stating, "I am talking about the future of lakhs of students. For that, thousands of children have come to Jantar Mantar. There has been a baton charge. The government is trying to hurt them. It is trying to suppress them."

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I am talking about the future of lakhs of students. For that, thousands of children have come to Jantar Mantar. There has been a baton charge. The government is trying to hurt them. It is trying to suppress them.