Congress workers and police clashed in Jaipur on Thursday, 21 May during a march towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters, as the opposition party escalated its protest over the alleged NEET examination paper leak. Police deployed water cannons and erected barricades near the Martyrs' Memorial area close to the Police Commissionerate, triggering scuffles that continued intermittently throughout the demonstration.

How the Protest Unfolded

The march was led by Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, who walked alongside senior party leaders and a large contingent of workers — including women, youth members, and some participants dressed as NEET aspirants to symbolise students' frustration. The procession began at the party's state headquarters and moved toward the BJP office via the Martyrs' Memorial before being stopped by police.

Amid the confrontation, Congress workers carried Dotasra on their shoulders as water cannons were trained on the crowd. Former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas sat on the road in front of the Police Commissionerate in protest. Former MLA Ved Prakash Solanki was reportedly pushed back by police personnel, while MLA Manish Yadav attempted to climb over police barricades before being pulled down by officers. Heavy police deployment around the BJP headquarters and the Martyrs' Memorial area remained in place throughout the day.

What the Congress Demanded

Addressing protesters, Dotasra launched a sharp attack on the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA). 'NEET paper leaks have been happening for the last three years. People have lost faith in the NTA, and the organisation should be dissolved,' he said. He further demanded strict action against those responsible for 'ruining the future of 22 lakh students', and called for a court-monitored investigation into the alleged irregularities.

The Congress also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of failing to take responsibility for the crisis. Notably, the Centre has already handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but the party has argued that a court-supervised inquiry is necessary to ensure accountability.

Background: The NEET Controversy

The alleged NEET paper leak has triggered nationwide outrage, with student groups and opposition parties demanding a fresh examination and structural reforms to the testing process. The NTA, which conducts the medical entrance exam, has faced mounting scrutiny over alleged irregularities spanning multiple years, according to the Congress. The exam determines admission to medical colleges across India and is taken by millions of aspirants annually — making any compromise in its integrity a matter of acute public concern.

What Happens Next

The CBI probe is underway, but opposition pressure for a court-monitored investigation is likely to intensify. With the controversy drawing national attention, the political fallout for both the Centre and the NTA could deepen if the investigation does not produce visible accountability measures in the near term.