Telangana CM Revanth Reddy slams 'police brutality' on NEET protesters in Delhi
Synopsis
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy went on the offensive against the Centre after security forces used tear gas and batons on students marching to Parliament over the NEET-UG paper leak — calling it state-sponsored silencing of youth whose futures have already been upended by examination fraud. With Parliament's monsoon session now open, the NEET crisis is set to dominate both the streets and the floor.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy on 20 July demanded an immediate end to 'police brutality' on students protesting the NEET paper-leak scandal in New Delhi.
Security forces used tear gas shells and batons to disperse thousands at Jantar Mantar during the 'Chalo Sansad' march on the first day of Parliament's monsoon session.
Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET irregularities.
NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled following a paper leak in May , causing widespread distress among lakhs of students and parents.
Revanth Reddy had earlier said the paper leaks had 'demonetised' students' futures and called for the strictest punishment for those responsible.
Both protesters and police personnel reportedly sustained minor injuries as crowds allegedly attempted to breach barricades near Parliament.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on 20 July publicly backed students protesting in New Delhi over the NEET paper-leak scandal, demanding an immediate halt to what he called 'police brutality' and full accountability for those responsible for examination irregularities. The statement came as security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators at Jantar Mantar who had gathered for a 'Chalo Sansad' march on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
What Revanth Reddy Said
Posting on social media, the Chief Minister alleged that students who had converged on the capital to demand justice were met with lathi charges and tear gas shells as they marched towards Parliament. 'The central government is using police force to silence the very youth whose future it has endangered. Every blow struck against a protesting student exposes the BJP's fear of questions, truth and democratic dissent,' he said.
'I firmly stand with India's students, and we demand an immediate end to police brutality and accountability in the NEET and other paper leaks scandal,' Revanth Reddy added. He had previously described the paper leaks as having 'demonetised' students' futures — a pointed reference to the disruption caused to lakhs of aspirants.
The Protest and Police Response
Thousands of supporters, mostly young students, gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday for the 'Chalo Sansad' march, organised against alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The march proceeded despite police denying permission for the demonstration.
According to reports, security forces deployed tear gas shells and reportedly used sticks and batons to disperse the crowd after some protesters allegedly attempted to breach barricades while advancing towards Parliament. Both protesters and police personnel are said to have sustained minor injuries in the clashes.
Background: NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation
The protests follow the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination after a paper leak emerged in May. Revanth Reddy, reacting to the cancellation, said the episode had caused 'enormous distress and uncertainty among lakhs of students and parents across India.' He had called for the strictest punishment for anyone involved in paper leaks or corruption, 'irrespective of their influence or position.'
The NEET controversy has become a flashpoint in national politics, with opposition leaders across states amplifying student grievances ahead of upcoming legislative sessions. This is not the first time examination paper leaks have triggered mass protests — similar unrest followed irregularities in competitive examinations in previous years, pointing to what critics argue is a systemic failure in safeguarding high-stakes national tests.
Political Fallout and What Comes Next
The Telangana Chief Minister's intervention adds a prominent state-level voice to the opposition chorus pressing the Centre for accountability. The demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation has grown louder across opposition benches. With Parliament's monsoon session now under way, the NEET issue is expected to dominate floor proceedings, and student groups have signalled that protests will continue until their demands are addressed.
Point of View
Let alone one already under fire for the NEET-UG cancellation. What is missing from the political noise, however, is a concrete proposal: opposition leaders have been effective at amplifying outrage but have yet to put forward a credible alternative framework for securing national examinations. The deeper problem — a pattern of paper leaks across multiple high-stakes tests over several years — demands institutional reform, not just ministerial scalps. Until the conversation shifts from blame to systemic fixes, lakhs of students will remain caught between a broken examination architecture and a political class that finds their anger more useful than their solutions.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy condemn the Delhi police action?
Revanth Reddy condemned the use of tear gas and batons on students who had gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for the 'Chalo Sansad' march against NEET paper-leak irregularities. He called it 'police brutality' and accused the central government of using force to silence youth whose futures have been endangered by examination fraud.
What is the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy?
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled after a paper leak surfaced in May 2026, throwing the medical entrance process into uncertainty for lakhs of students and parents across India. The scandal has triggered nationwide protests and opposition demands for accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
What happened at the Jantar Mantar protest in Delhi?
Thousands of students and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday — the first day of Parliament's monsoon session — for a 'Chalo Sansad' march to Parliament, despite police denying permission. Security forces reportedly used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd; both protesters and police personnel sustained minor injuries.
Who are the protesters demanding action against?
Protesters have primarily demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for alleged irregularities in NEET and other national examinations. They are also calling for punishment of individuals and networks involved in paper leaks.
What has Revanth Reddy previously said about NEET paper leaks?
Revanth Reddy had earlier stated that paper leaks have 'demonetised' students' futures and called for the strictest punishment for anyone involved in examination corruption, irrespective of their influence or position. He also said the credibility of national-level examinations must be protected at all costs.
