BRS Leader KTR Skips Birthday Celebrations to Join NEET Protest in Solidarity with Students

Hyderabad: K. T. Rama Rao (KTR), working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has announced that he will not celebrate his 50th birthday on July 24 as a gesture of solidarity with students and youth protesting in New Delhi over the alleged leak of the NEET question paper. Instead, he will join a massive protest organized by the BRS students' wing (BRSV) in Hyderabad on the same day.

The decision comes amid growing demands for a probe into the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak, which students and opposition parties claim has affected the fairness of the examination. Protests have been held in several cities, with students accusing authorities of failing to act against those responsible.

KTR, in a statement, said: 'My birthday is not important; the future of our students is. I stand with them in their fight for justice and transparency.' He urged party workers and supporters to join the protest, which is expected to draw large crowds at the BRS headquarters in Telangana.

The BRS has been critical of the central government's handling of the NEET issue, demanding a thorough investigation and compensation for affected students. The party has also accused the Delhi Police of suppressing student protests, though no official confirmation of such actions has been provided by law enforcement agencies.

This is not the first time KTR has used his birthday for a political statement; in previous years, he has donated to charitable causes and engaged in social work. The move is seen as an attempt to highlight the party's commitment to student issues, especially in the run-up to state and national elections.

Meanwhile, the Union Education Ministry has denied allegations of a large-scale paper leak, stating that only isolated incidents have been reported and that the Central Bureau of Investigation is looking into the matter. The ministry has also assured students that the integrity of the examination process is being maintained.

Political analysts say the issue could become a flashpoint in the upcoming elections, with regional parties like BRS seeking to capitalize on youth discontent. The protest on July 24 is likely to draw significant media attention, with KTR's birthday symbolism adding a personal touch to the political messaging.