Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday alleged that anti-social elements had infiltrated the ongoing student protests over the NEET controversy to engineer instability in the national capital, warning of a conspiracy to replicate the kind of civil unrest witnessed in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Vijayendra made the remarks while addressing media at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Key Allegations at the Press Conference

Vijayendra alleged that police personnel and media representatives were attacked during the unrest, asserting that genuine students could not have been responsible for such acts. He claimed that so-called 'Tukde-Tukde gangs' were orchestrating the violence and strongly condemned their involvement.

He further accused the Indian National Congress (Congress) of attempting to extract political capital from the NEET row, alleging that the party — along with what he referred to as the 'Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)' — was staging demonstrations for partisan purposes rather than genuine student welfare.

What the Government Said and Did

Vijayendra defended the Narendra Modi-led Union government's response to the alleged NEET question paper leak, saying it acted without delay and did not attempt to suppress information. 'As soon as the NEET paper leak came to light, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan ordered an inquiry. Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government took all necessary steps. Thirteen persons were arrested overnight in connection with the case,' he said.

He noted that the Centre has ordered the establishment of five fast-track courts to investigate the case and ensure swift punishment. Vijayendra also highlighted that a NEET re-examination — which typically requires six months of preparation — was conducted within 35 days, with results declared within 25 days.

Centre's Plans to Prevent Recurrence

The BJP leader said the government is actively considering computer-based examinations, artificial intelligence-driven monitoring, and advanced surveillance systems to prevent future paper leaks. He said these measures reflect the Modi government's broader commitment to examination transparency.

Attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi

Vijayendra questioned the credibility of the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, alleging that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had been abroad for 15 to 20 days without expressing concern for students, only to begin staging demonstrations near the Prime Minister's residence immediately upon returning.

He also alleged that Congress had remained silent on incidents of police action against job aspirants in Dharwad and the stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, accusing the party of selective outrage. Union Minister J.P. Nadda, he said, had already met a student delegation and heard their concerns, adding that demanding the resignation of a Union minister was not a constructive solution. The Centre, he added, was ready for a Parliament debate on NEET for as many hours as required.

Broader Context: Education Expansion Under NDA

Vijayendra argued that the Congress was attempting to manufacture unrest even as the NDA government had expanded higher education access by adding MBBS seats, new medical colleges, additional postgraduate medical seats, and new IITs and IIMs across the country. He said the party was 'playing with the future of the youth' by politicising a matter that the government was already addressing through institutional channels.

The NEET controversy has triggered nationwide student demonstrations, and political responses from both the ruling alliance and the opposition are expected to intensify as Parliament prepares to take up the issue.