BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Congress on Friday accused the BJP-led Centre of using excessive force against students protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the NEET paper leak and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

 

Addressing a pressaconference at the Congress office in Bhopal, AICC spokesperson Shobha Oza stated that the Centre responded to students' demand for justice with police action instead of fixing accountability for the paper leak.

 

She claimed that students staging a peaceful protest were lathi-charged and manhandled, pointing out that women students were also assaulted during the protest.

 

“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.

 

Madhya Pradesh Congress Media in-charge and former minister Mukesh Nayak alleged that the police action reflected the Centre's "anti-student" approach and questioned the BJP's commitment to women's safety.

 

“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.

 

The Congress leaders said that instead of listening to students demanding a fair investigation into the paper leak, the government chose to silence their voices through police action.

 

The party also reiterated its demand for a judicial enquiry into the police action at Jantar Mantar and sought strict action against police personnel found responsible if the allegations were found to be true.

 

Nayak also targeted the BJP government over the law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh, alleging that crimes against women remained high in the state.

 

He further questioned the continuation of Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah in the state Cabinet.