Union Minister Alleges Infiltration of Delhi Protests by 'Communal, Communist Forces'

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday alleged that 'communist' and 'communal' elements have infiltrated the ongoing youth protests in New Delhi. Addressing a press conference at the BJP's state office, he claimed these groups incited violence and attempted to target Parliament.

Mr. Kumar defended the Delhi Police's actions, stating that 118 police personnel sustained serious injuries and that the use of force (lathicharge) was resorted to only under 'unavoidable circumstances'. He asserted that the police exercised considerable restraint despite what he described as provocations.

The minister alleged that individuals posing as students created unrest, raised anti-national slogans, and assaulted police personnel, journalists, and women journalists. He also claimed that attempts were being made to inflame tensions through malicious propaganda originating from Pakistan via social media platforms. According to him, the central government has blocked 480 social media accounts linked to Pakistan as part of efforts to curb misinformation.

Mr. Kumar criticised Opposition parties for seeking to politicise the NEET examination issue rather than discussing it in Parliament. He noted that despite reports of a NEET paper leak surfacing over two months ago, the Congress and other parties remained largely silent until recent protests erupted in the capital.

Turning to Telangana politics, the minister urged Gen Z voters to question why leaders of both the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Congress had not resigned over examination paper leak controversies during their respective tenures. 'BRS is synonymous with paper leaks. Question papers were sold under its rule, and similar incidents occurred during the Congress government's tenure as well,' he said.