Ramdas Athawale: Delhi Police lathi-charge on NEET students was wrong
Synopsis
A Union Minister from within the ruling NDA publicly called the Delhi Police lathi-charge on NEET protesters 'wrong' — a rare moment of intra-alliance friction. Athawale's remarks, made outside Parliament, expose the political tightrope the government is walking as student anger over the 3 May paper leak refuses to subside.
Key Takeaways
Ramdas Athawale , Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief, said the Delhi Police lathi-charge on NEET protesters was unjustified.
Students led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) marched toward Parliament on 20 July , demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the 3 May NEET paper leak .
Athawale urged protesters to have restricted their demonstration to Rail Bhavan once stopped, rather than pushing toward Parliament.
PM Modi acknowledged at the NDA Mangal Milan that the paper leak was wrong and said those responsible had been caught and should be 'punished severely.' Athawale dismissed Rahul Gandhi 's remarks on the issue as 'baseless' and said the government stands with 'Yuva Shakti.'
Union Minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday, 21 July condemned the Delhi Police lathi-charge on anti-NEET paper leak protesters during their 'Sansad Chalo' march, while simultaneously urging demonstrators to exercise restraint. Speaking outside Parliament House, Athawale struck a careful balance — acknowledging police duty while calling the baton action unjustified.
What Happened During the March
Scores of students, mobilised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), attempted to march to Parliament on Monday, 20 July, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the 3 May NEET paper leak. Police intercepted the march near Rail Bhavan, leading to a lathi-charge that drew widespread criticism.
What Athawale Said
'Lathi-charge should not have happened,' the Union Minister said plainly. He acknowledged that police were carrying out their responsibility in preventing the march from reaching Parliament, but maintained that the use of batons crossed a line. 'The students faced a lot of difficulties,' he added. He also suggested that once protesters were stopped near Rail Bhavan, they should have confined their demonstration to that location rather than pressing forward.
On the CJP-Nadda Meeting and a Path Forward
Referring to a meeting between a CJP delegation and Union Minister JP Nadda, Athawale expressed hope for a resolution. 'There should be some kind of a solution from the meeting,' he said, adding that protests must be kept within bounds. He reiterated his position firmly: 'The protestors should not have been subjected to lathi-charge.'
Government's Stand on NEET and PM Modi's Remarks
Athawale also responded to questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the NEET paper leak, made during the NDA's 'Mangal Milan' programme the same day. According to Athawale, the Prime Minister acknowledged that 'whatever has happened is not right' and that lakhs of students had faced hardship. Modi reportedly stated that those responsible had been apprehended and should face severe punishment.
The Prime Minister also underlined that preventing exam malpractice is a shared responsibility between the Centre and state governments. Athawale asserted that the 'government stands with Yuva Shakti' and dismissed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the issue as 'baseless.' He added that the government would take steps to ensure paper leaks are not repeated.
Broader Context
The NEET controversy has been one of the most politically charged education crises in recent memory, with student protests erupting across multiple cities. The 3 May paper leak triggered demands for a re-examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, and ministerial accountability. This is the latest in a series of confrontations between student demonstrators and authorities in New Delhi since the scandal broke. The lathi-charge has sharpened the political debate, drawing criticism even from within the ruling alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ramdas Athawale say about the Delhi Police lathi-charge on NEET protesters?
Athawale said the lathi-charge 'should not have happened' and that students 'faced a lot of difficulties,' even as he acknowledged that police were carrying out their duty in preventing the march from reaching Parliament.
Why did students march toward Parliament on 20 July?
Students led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) conducted a 'Sansad Chalo' march on 20 July demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the 3 May NEET paper leak, which affected lakhs of students.
What did PM Modi say about the NEET paper leak?
According to Athawale, PM Modi stated at the NDA's 'Mangal Milan' programme that whatever happened with the NEET exam 'is not right,' that those responsible had been caught, and that they should be punished severely. Modi also said preventing such incidents is a shared responsibility of the Centre and state governments.
What came out of the CJP delegation's meeting with JP Nadda?
Athawale expressed hope that the meeting between a CJP delegation and Union Minister JP Nadda would yield 'some kind of a solution,' though no specific outcome was announced at the time of his remarks.
What is the background of the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET-UG 2024 paper leak came to light on 3 May, triggering nationwide protests by students demanding a re-examination, a CBI probe, and accountability from the Education Ministry. The controversy has since become a major political flashpoint, with opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi pressing the government on the issue.
