A sit-in protest was staged by opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Akhilesh Yadav, outside the prime minister’s residence in response to the Delhi Police’s crackdown on NEET protesters. The protest was prompted by the police’s use of force against students, and the same police did not hesitate to use force against the opposition leaders, detaining and removing them from the protest site after talks with the government failed. Meanwhile, students marched to Parliament, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The government’s attempts to reach out to the students have been described as half-hearted. The opposition has demanded accountability for the alleged police action, an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the resignation of Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan. The police used lathi charges, tear gas, and pellets to disperse protesters, causing injuries and detentions.
Such actions by the police are not unprecedented in India, where the police have often been associated with brutality. The current deadlock could result in yet another round of protests against the government if not handled carefully. What is particularly disturbing is the government’s response to the situation, characterized by silence, violence against students, and a lack of accountability.
