Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday, 25 July welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it an appropriate response to the nationwide student agitation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak — but insisted the move should have come far sooner. She simultaneously demanded strict legal action against police personnel accused of assaulting peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Mayawati's Key Demands

In a post on X, the BSP chief said her party expects the Central government to take stringent action against police personnel who allegedly used lathis and batons on unarmed boys and girls participating peacefully in the Jantar Mantar protest. She claimed many students suffered serious injuries as a result.

Mayawati specifically called for the identification of police personnel accused of misbehaving with female protesters, and sought both strict disciplinary and criminal proceedings against them. She said exemplary action was necessary to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Withdrawal of Cases Against Protesters

The BSP chief also urged the government to withdraw all FIRs and complaints registered against protesting students and youth. She argued that prolonged legal proceedings could adversely affect the future prospects of the students involved, and that dropping the cases would help restore a harmonious atmosphere across the country.

A Warning Against Politicisation

Appealing directly to the student protesters, Mayawati cautioned them against allowing any political party to exploit or politicise their struggle. She advised agitators not to jeopardise their own futures in the course of the movement — a notable message given that multiple opposition parties have sought to align themselves with the protests.

Background: NEET-UG Row and Pradhan's Resignation

Protests have been continuing across the country for several weeks over the alleged leak of the NEET-UG medical entrance examination paper. Various student organisations and the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) had been demanding accountability from the Education Minister and pressing for his resignation. Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation on Saturday, a step widely viewed as a significant move toward restoring accountability in India's examination system.

Notably, the resignation came just ahead of a proposed third round of talks between the government and the CJP. Whether the change in leadership at the Education Ministry will be sufficient to address the structural concerns raised by students remains to be seen.