Karnataka's ruling and opposition camps traded sharp accusations on Tuesday, 21 July over the police crackdown on students marching under the 'Parliament Chalo' banner in New Delhi, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling the agitation a “pre-planned conspiracy” and the Indian National Congress (Congress) condemning the lathi charge as an “inhuman assault” on democratic voices. The confrontation follows reported use of batons, tear gas, and water cannons against students staging a hunger strike near Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability over repeated NEET paper leaks.

Congress Demands Resignation, Calls Action Authoritarian

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad accused the Centre of deploying excessive force against students who were peacefully marching from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament. He called the crackdown a demonstration of “authoritarian cruelty” and demanded the immediate release of detained students and medical care for the injured.

Hariprasad squarely targeted Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanding his resignation on moral grounds over the NEET paper leak controversy. “The government’s inability to protect examination papers has been exposed, and instead of answering students seeking justice, it has displayed its authoritarian cruelty by unleashing police action on them,” he said.

Drawing a pointed historical comparison, the Congress leader alleged that the BJP was replicating methods used by colonial rulers to suppress dissent. He also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Prime Minister “who advises students through ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ does not have the courage to face the real questions being asked by students.”

BJP Defends Police, Alleges Anti-National Conspiracy

Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra defended the Centre’s handling of the march, asserting that while every citizen holds the democratic right to peaceful protest, attempts to “lay siege to Parliament, incite violence, create anarchy, or destabilise and divide the country” would not be permitted.

Vijayendra alleged that “toolkit gangs” and opposition parties were orchestrating the agitation, and claimed anti-national elements were exploiting student grievances for political ends. He described the protest as “pre-planned and sponsored,” arguing that those engaging in violence could not be considered genuine students.

The BJP leader also noted that Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had met student representatives on Monday evening, framing the government’s engagement as a good-faith effort before the situation escalated. He praised the Delhi Police for acting “in a highly professional manner” with “minimal force,” even as he acknowledged that several security personnel reportedly sustained injuries.

The NEET Controversy at the Centre

The protests are rooted in widespread student anger over recurring allegations of paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which determines admissions to medical colleges across India. Critics argue that systemic failures in exam administration have repeatedly disadvantaged lakhs of aspirants, and that the government has yet to provide credible accountability. This is not the first time student-led demonstrations over NEET have escalated into a political flashpoint.

What Happens Next

With both national parties staking out opposing positions, the episode is likely to intensify pressure on the Centre ahead of the ongoing Parliament session. The Congress has demanded immediate government response on three counts: medical care for the injured, release of detainees, and the resignation of Minister Pradhan. The BJP, meanwhile, has signalled it will not yield to what it characterises as politically motivated street pressure. How the government responds in Parliament in the coming days will be closely watched.