Murli Manohar Joshi urges empathy over force in NEET protest row
Synopsis
A senior BJP leader publicly breaking ranks with the government over the NEET protest crackdown is the story mainstream coverage is underplaying. Murli Manohar Joshi's warning — that force against student protesters risks alienating society from Viksit Bharat — is a rare and pointed internal dissent that puts pressure on the government from within, even as fast-track courts and opposition sit-ins dominate the headlines.
Key Takeaways
Murli Manohar Joshi , BJP veteran and former HRD Minister, publicly urged the government on 23 July to handle NEET protests with empathy, not force.
Joshi warned that use of force against student protesters 'shall alienate large sections of Indian society' from the Viksit Bharat goal.
PM Modi announced fast-track courts to punish those responsible for the NEET exam-paper leak .
Student groups led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have rejected Modi's announcement and are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .
Police used tear gas and baton charges when protesters marched towards Parliament on Monday ; several were injured.
The controversy has stalled the Monsoon Session of Parliament , with Rahul Gandhi staging sit-ins in support of students.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran and former Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday, 23 July took to social media to express deep concern over the ongoing nationwide protests against the NEET exam-paper leak, warning against treating student demonstrators as a law-and-order problem. His remarks came as clashes between protesters and police intensified across major Indian cities, including New Delhi.
What Joshi Said
'It is painful to see young students from different parts of the country assembled for days on the streets of New Delhi. Their anxieties and concerns regarding the examination system are genuine and must be handled with empathy and a desire to find a lasting solution,' Joshi wrote in his post.
The former BJP president went further, cautioning the government: 'I fervently hope that this is not treated merely as a law-and-order issue to be tackled through the use of force. It is very painful to see that even young girls were brutally mishandled.'
He also warned that such use of force 'shall alienate large sections of Indian society from the national goal of Viksit Bharat' — a notable rebuke from within the ruling party's own senior ranks.
Government Response and Fast-Track Courts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced the creation of fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in the examination paper leaks, stressing that 'nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.' The move was framed as a decisive step to restore public trust in India's examination system.
Critics, however, argue that the measure addresses only the aftermath of the leaks rather than the deeper systemic flaws in India's education infrastructure — a distinction that student groups have seized upon.
Protests Spread, Demands Escalate
Student groups, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement, have rejected the Prime Minister's announcement as inadequate. They are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him directly accountable for repeated exam irregularities. Protests that began at Jantar Mantar in Delhi have since spread to major cities across the country.
The situation turned volatile earlier this week when protesters marched towards Parliament on Monday, prompting police to deploy tear gas and carry out baton charges. Several demonstrators were reported injured in the clashes.
Parliament Stalled, Opposition Joins In
The NEET controversy has effectively stalled the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with Treasury bench members and the Opposition locked in a sustained war of attrition. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has joined the protests, staging sit-ins in Parliament and accusing the Union government of shielding Education Minister Pradhan at the expense of students' futures.
Notably, Joshi's public rebuke marks one of the most significant internal dissents within the BJP's senior leadership since the NEET crisis erupted — and signals that the political fallout from the exam scandal is far from contained.
Point of View
It exposes the government's dual vulnerability: a credibility deficit on examination integrity and a law-and-order optics problem it did not anticipate. The fast-track court announcement addresses punishment, not prevention — and seasoned observers within the system clearly know the difference. If the government cannot demonstrate structural reform, the political cost will outlast the protest season.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Murli Manohar Joshi say about the NEET protests?
Joshi urged the government to handle the NEET protests with empathy rather than force, warning that police action against students — including 'brutal mishandling' of young girls — risks alienating large sections of society from India's Viksit Bharat goals. He posted his remarks on social media on 23 July.
What is the NEET exam-paper leak controversy?
The NEET controversy centres on widespread allegations of exam-paper leaks in India's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which is used for medical college admissions. The leaks triggered nationwide student protests, parliamentary disruptions, and calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
What action did PM Modi announce in response to the NEET crisis?
PM Modi announced the creation of fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those responsible for the NEET exam-paper leaks. Critics argue the measure addresses consequences rather than the systemic flaws in India's examination infrastructure.
Who are the student groups demanding and what do they want?
Student groups led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement have rejected PM Modi's fast-track court announcement as insufficient. They are demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom they hold directly accountable for repeated exam irregularities.
How has the NEET protest affected Parliament?
The NEET controversy has stalled the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with the ruling Treasury bench and the Opposition in a sustained standoff. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has staged sit-ins in Parliament, accusing the government of shielding Education Minister Pradhan at students' expense.
