Madhya Pradesh Congress on Friday, 24 July accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of deploying excessive force against students who had gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to protest the NEET paper leak, and called for the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The allegations were made at a press conference held at the Congress office in Bhopal.

What Congress Alleged

All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson Shobha Oza said the Centre responded to students' demand for justice not with accountability, but with police force. She alleged that students staging a peaceful demonstration were lathi-charged and manhandled, and specifically claimed that women students were also assaulted during the crackdown.

'The students were demanding justice over the NEET paper leak, but the government responded with force instead of addressing their concerns. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign and those responsible for the alleged police excesses must be held accountable,' Oza said.

Congress Leaders Target BJP's Women Safety Slogans

Madhya Pradesh Congress Media in-charge and former minister Mukesh Nayak alleged that the police action exposed the BJP's 'anti-student' stance and questioned the ruling party's commitment to women's safety. He directly invoked two flagship government campaigns in his criticism.

'The slogans of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Nari Shakti Vandan stand exposed. The Prime Minister should apologise to the students, Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, and the police personnel responsible for the alleged excesses should be identified and punished,' Nayak said.

Key Demands Raised by Congress

The party put forward a set of specific demands: a judicial enquiry into the police action at Jantar Mantar, strict action against officers found responsible if the allegations are substantiated, and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Congress leaders argued that instead of facilitating a fair investigation into the paper leak, the government chose to suppress student voices.

Broader Political Salvo in Madhya Pradesh

Nayak also broadened the attack beyond the NEET issue, targeting the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over what he described as a deteriorating law and order situation, particularly crimes against women. He additionally questioned the continuation of Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah in the state Cabinet, suggesting the party would press these issues further.

This comes amid sustained national pressure on the Centre over the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy, which has already triggered protests across multiple cities and drawn scrutiny from the Supreme Court. The Jantar Mantar demonstration was one of several organised by student groups demanding a re-examination and independent probe.