Civil society group condemns Delhi police action against NEET protestors
A civil society organisation, 'Save the Nation', has criticised the Delhi police's handling of a protest by members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). In a press statement, the group's convenor, Advocate C.J. Rajan, condemned the use of lathi-charge, the filing of criminal charges, and the detention of what it described as peaceful youth demonstrators.
The statement characterised the police action as a direct assault on constitutional rights and democratic freedom of expression. It also addressed broader concerns about national-level competitive examinations, citing recurring paper leaks, administrative failures, and systemic irregularities in tests like NEET, which, it said, had eroded trust among students and parents.
“Protecting democracy is not just about conducting elections; it also means respecting the voice of dissent from the people,” the statement read. The organisation urged the Union government to stop suppressing peaceful protests and to address the demonstrators' demands.
Holding the central leadership accountable, the organisation demanded that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan step down from his post, accepting moral and administrative responsibility for the examination lapses. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters, including CJP leader Abhijit Dipke and other activists, along with the withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against them.
The statement further extended support to activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike, and urged the government to fulfill his demands without delay.
The Delhi police have not yet issued a formal response to the allegations. The government has previously stated that it takes all protests seriously but must enforce the law to maintain public order. The NEET controversy continues to draw attention, with multiple stakeholders demanding a transparent investigation.
