Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday, 21 July drew a sharp comparison between the Delhi Police lathi-charge on student demonstrators at Jantar Mantar and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, triggering an intense political firestorm. The students had gathered as part of the 'Sansad Chalo' march protesting the nationwide NEET paper leak scandal.

Raut's Jallianwala Bagh Comparison

Addressing a press conference, Raut launched a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action. 'The peaceful manner in which the youth of this country expressed their outrage is what we consider democracy. But the way Narendra Modi and Amit Shah's police lathi-charged those children reminded us of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Because they either do not have children, or their children live abroad. They will never understand the pain of our Indian youth,' he said.

Raut went further, declaring 20 July a 'black day for Indian democracy' and calling for it to be observed annually as 'Cowards' Day'. This comes amid mounting national outrage over the alleged mishandling of the NEET-UG 2024 examination, which has seen protests erupt across multiple cities.

Opposition's Role in the Agitation

Raut was also pressed at the press conference about the apparent absence of senior Opposition leaders during Monday's demonstrations near Parliament House. He dismissed the charge, asserting that the movement was succeeding precisely because of Opposition backing.

'The people who joined the movement aren't following just one individual — whether it is Sonam Wangchuk or Abhijit Dipke. This issue was raised by Rahul Gandhi and all of us, which sparked this fight. Fuel was added to this battle by Chief Justice Surya Kant's statements. Every political party has taken to the streets over the NEET paper leak issue,' Raut stated.

He added, 'Protests don't happen just because someone arrives from America. It is succeeding because we are all standing in support. Yesterday, leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (including Arvind Kejriwal), Samajwadi Party, Bhim Army, and our own party members were present at the protests. Uddhav Thackeray discussed this matter at least 25 times yesterday.'

Aaditya Thackeray and MNS Join the Chorus

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray also condemned the police action, sharing a video on X in which he questioned India's standing on the global stage. 'Just wanted to know, in all the global forums that we participate, does any other country have a regime that is so oppressive and brutal? Or are we the only former democracy to be in such forums where the ruling regime fools those countries about democracy, elections, rule of law,' he posted.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government, alleging that the crackdown reflected a dangerous concentration of power. 'It feels as though the government hasn't just detained Sonam Wangchuk, but has bundled up democracy itself,' he alleged, questioning whether power had gone to the BJP's head.

Student Suicides and the Broader Crisis

Amit Thackeray drew attention to the tragic rise in student suicides linked to the NEET controversy, urging the government to handle student grievances with greater sensitivity. He called for immediate and serious consideration of the protesters' demands, describing the current political landscape as 'vile and monstrous.'

Raut also called on the Opposition to formally take charge of the movement and expand it to a national scale. 'The Opposition must now take control of this movement. We are supporting the protests wherever possible, and this movement now needs to be expanded to a national level,' he said. With the NEET controversy showing no signs of resolution, political pressure on the Centre is expected to intensify in the days ahead.