SP MPs march to Jantar Mantar over NEET paper leaks, demand govt accountability
Synopsis
Samajwadi Party MPs took their NEET outrage from Parliament to the streets on 20 July, marching to Jantar Mantar where hunger-striking students have been camped for weeks. With Dimple Yadav leading the charge and the Monsoon Session already turbulent, the opposition is betting that student anger over paper leaks can be converted into sustained political pressure on the Centre.
Key Takeaways
SP MPs led by Dimple Yadav marched from Parliament to Jantar Mantar on 20 July over the NEET paper leak controversy.
The protest coincided with the opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament .
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk had previously held a 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar before being removed by police.
SP MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq alleged that agitating students were beaten by police.
The delegation also raised concerns over alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple and proposed bulldozer action against a UP university.
Samajwadi Party (SP) lawmakers on 20 July marched from Parliament to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding accountability from the Centre over the NEET paper leak controversy and expressing solidarity with agitating students. The protest coincided with the stormy opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The March and Its Demands
A delegation of SP MPs led by Dimple Yadav marched through the streets, raising slogans against what the party described as gross mismanagement of national examinations. Protesters waved banners reading 'Paper Leak' and 'NEET hai ya CHEAT hai', with party workers and supporters joining the procession.
The SP delegation told reporters it was targeting the government on two fronts: its failure to conduct examinations without irregularities, and its refusal to engage with protesting students.
What Jantar Mantar Represents
Jantar Mantar has emerged as the focal point of the anti-NEET protest movement. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk had previously sat on a hunger strike there for 20 days before being removed by police. Several students subsequently took a vow alongside him and are reportedly still on a hunger strike, demanding accountability from senior officials and the Education Minister.
What the SP MPs Said
'Today, the situation is such that the youth want to raise concerns, but the government refuses to listen or engage in dialogue. Despite people being on a fast, the government is so rigid and callous that it refuses to heed anyone else's views. Because of the corrupt government, the nation's youth and students are bearing the brunt and suffering immense mental stress,' Dimple Yadav said.
SP MP Rajeev Rai alleged the government was misappropriating everything — from examination papers to temple funds — and argued it must be removed from power. SP MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq claimed that agitating students had been beaten by police, and that the delegation was marching to stand behind them. 'We demand that the government, instead of bulldozing students' stir, engage in talks with them,' Barq said.
Other Grievances Raised
Beyond the NEET controversy, SP MPs raised a range of other concerns, including alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple and proposed bulldozer action against a Uttar Pradesh university. The breadth of the protest signals the party's intent to use the Monsoon Session as a platform for sustained opposition pressure.
What Comes Next
With hunger-striking students still at Jantar Mantar and opposition parties stepping up street protests, pressure on the Centre to respond to the NEET paper leak crisis is intensifying. Whether the government opens a formal dialogue with student groups remains to be seen.
Point of View
Which SP governed until 2017, has its own documented history of paper leaks. More importantly, the Centre's silence toward hunger-striking students at Jantar Mantar is a political miscalculation: every day without dialogue hands the opposition a sharper narrative. The NEET crisis is no longer just an administrative failure — it is rapidly becoming a generational grievance that no party can afford to ignore.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Samajwadi Party MPs march to Jantar Mantar on 20 July?
SP MPs marched from Parliament to Jantar Mantar on 20 July to demand government accountability over the NEET paper leak controversy and to express solidarity with students on hunger strike at the protest site. The march was led by SP MP Dimple Yadav.
What is the NEET paper leak controversy?
The NEET paper leak refers to allegations that question papers for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test were leaked ahead of the examination, compromising its integrity. The controversy has triggered widespread student protests and political opposition demands for accountability from the Centre and the Education Minister.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk and what was his role in the Jantar Mantar protest?
Sonam Wangchuk is a social activist who sat on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar for 20 days in protest against the NEET paper leak before being removed by police. Several students subsequently joined the hunger strike, continuing to demand accountability from top officials.
What other issues did SP MPs raise during the march?
Beyond the NEET paper leak, SP MPs raised concerns over alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple and proposed bulldozer action against a Uttar Pradesh university, broadening the scope of their protest against the ruling government.
What has the government said in response to the student protests?
As of the march on 20 July, the government had not publicly engaged with the protesting students, according to SP MPs. The party accused the Centre of being 'rigid and callous' and refusing to enter into dialogue despite the ongoing hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
