Didi Likely To Join CJP Delhi Stir On July 27
Kolkata: Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is expected to join the Cockroach Janata Party’s ongoing agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 27 over the demand for resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, among other issues related to the NEET question paper leak scandal. He is also likely to address excitement during his tour and interact with other INDIA bloc leaders later.
The former West Bengal chief minister, who had earlier announced his plans at his party rally on July 21, wrote on X-handle on Friday: “I have stood with the students and their movement from the very beginning. Their fight is not just for justice in the NEET scam. It is a fight to protect the future of every young Indian. The brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters by the Delhi Police is extremely disturbing and completely unacceptable.”
He observed: “Students were brutally beaten, lathi-charged, fired at with pellet guns and tear gassed just to demand accountability. The Union Government is so fearful of a peaceful democratic movement that it has reportedly suspended internet services in and around Jantar Mantar and resorted to the draconian National Security Act (NSA) for preventive detention of students – the future of our nation.”
Attacking the BJP, Ms. Banerjee claimed: “The Prime Minister talks about zero tolerance for corruption and promises strict accountability. But just yesterday, the CBI announced that it had found no evidence against the alleged ringleader in the 2024 NEET paper leak case. If those accused of destroying the future of hundreds of students continue to evade accountability, who is the government really protecting?”
He claimed: “Why are you so desperate to protect the Education Minister instead of responding to questions asked by students across the country? The entire Opposition along with the entire nation stands firmly with our students and youth. I salute every young Indian for their indomitable spirit, unwavering courage and refusal to bow down in the face of latis, intimidation or abuse of state power. India is proud of all of you.”
His message came after a clash between participants of a joint protest rally by CJP and Leftist student organizations and Kolkata Police and central force personnel disrupted traffic in the heart of the city. Repeating Jantar Mantar’s demands, the march started fighting as soon as it reached its destination at Esplanade around 17:00 after setting off from Sealdah.
Protesters blocked the Dorina Crossing and threw shoes, water bottles and various items at police and central force soldiers stationed there. They also cornered journalists. Police and central force personnel later retaliated with lathicharge on the unruly demonstrators. The situation returned to normal around 19:00. The CJP had earlier sought permission from the Kolkata Police for its first rally in the city in a bid to take its agitation beyond New Delhi, but when it failed to get approval, it combined its march with that of Leftist student organisations.
