Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, 21 July launched a sharp attack on opposition parties and political organisations, accusing them of infiltrating the ongoing NEET exam paper leak protests to serve narrow political interests and engineer instability. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis drew a clear distinction between genuine student grievances and what he described as orchestrated disruption by fringe elements.

Protests Hijacked by Political Opportunists, Says Fadnavis

The Chief Minister commented specifically on demonstrations staged by the Cockroach Janata Party and veteran social activist Sonam Wangchuk, both of whom have been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak. Fadnavis acknowledged the constitutional right to protest but insisted it must be exercised with a sense of responsibility.

'Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but while doing so, one must keep in mind both the rights and responsibilities bestowed by the Constitution,' he said.

He alleged that several parties and organisations with no genuine stake in the NEET issue had embedded themselves in the movement solely to incite unrest. 'When a movement is faceless and leaderless, certain elements circulate within it. They try to achieve their own selfish goals by firing from the shoulders of the protesters,' Fadnavis said, adding, 'Many of these individuals don't even know what the NEET exam is or when it took place; they are merely pushing their own political agenda.'

He went further, targeting parties that have faced electoral defeats: 'Political parties that have been rejected by voters in their respective states are now trying to gain political traction out of this unrest.'

Fadnavis Defends Police Action at Jantar Mantar

Addressing the lathi-charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the Chief Minister defended law enforcement, arguing that the use of force was unavoidable given the scale of violence that had broken out. 'No government ever likes using lathi-charge against its own citizens. However, looking at the chaotic situation yesterday — where police vehicles were damaged, and officers were pelted with stones — if the police had not taken control, far worse incidents would have occurred. The police showed immense restraint and acted proportionately to restore order,' Fadnavis explained.

He was careful to clarify that his criticism was not directed at all demonstrators, conceding that many had participated with genuine concern for the students affected by the alleged paper leak. The problem, he maintained, lay with political opportunists who had co-opted the movement.

Farm Loan Waiver List Announcement

Separately, at a photo exhibition held to mark the birth anniversary of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis made a significant policy announcement. 'To mark the birth anniversary of the beloved late Ajit Pawar, the state government is attempting to release the first list of eligible farmers under the farm loan waiver scheme tomorrow,' he stated, paying tribute to Pawar's 'distinct political persona, dedication, and stern yet warm leadership style.'

What This Means for the NEET Controversy

The NEET paper leak row has triggered nationwide protests, with students and activists demanding accountability from the Centre and a re-examination. Fadnavis's remarks signal that the Maharashtra government intends to hold a firm line against demonstrations it deems unauthorised or violent, even as pressure mounts on the Union government to act. The political temperature around the issue is likely to rise further as opposition parties contest the Chief Minister's characterisation of the protests.