The opposition is attacking the police action on the protest in Delhi over the NEET-UG paper leak. Sanjay Raut has demanded to declare July 20 as ‘Coward’s Day’. Congress and TMC have also criticized the government. Violence also occurred during the demonstration.
New Delhi [भारत]July 21 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday took a sharp dig at the government over the police action during a protest in the national capital. Sharing pictures of policemen detaining protesters, he said that July 20 should be observed as “Cowards’ Day”.
In a post on Twitter, Raut shared a photo of police action against student protesters, saying, “July 20 should be declared Cowards’ Day. Jai Hind!”
Opposition leaders surrounded the government
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera also attacked the government, saying they would have to face the Constitution, “Add yesterday’s shameful chapter to the long list of injustices meted out to the youth of this country – when the sons and daughters of this country were subjected to oppression and cruelty at the behest of those in power. But those who are beating the youth of the country today on the orders of those in power, will have to face the stick of the Constitution tomorrow.”
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra also took a dig at the government over the police action and shared a photo of a tense confrontation between policemen and protesters. Moitra said in a post on X, “The world’s largest democracy – look at this!”
The comments by opposition leaders come amid intensified protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A CJP delegation met Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday and put forward their demands including Pradhan’s resignation, compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of NEET aspirants who lost their lives and the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is being treated at Safdarjung Hospital.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the protests would continue until Pradhan resigns. Nadda, who is also the leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said there has been a proposal from the protesters to hold talks with the government and appealed to them to end their protest.
Violence during Parliament march, police registered FIR
Meanwhile, the protest march towards Parliament turned violent, with Delhi Police claiming that more than 118 policemen were injured in the clashes. About 60 protesters were also reported injured. According to Delhi Police, the protesters allegedly attacked policemen with stones and other objects, attempted to break barricades, vandalized police and government vehicles and damaged public property.
Delhi Police has now registered an FIR against unidentified persons in connection with the vandalism of vehicles and stone pelting at Connaught Place and Parliament Street during the protests, police sources said on Tuesday. Sources said the FIRs have been registered at Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under various sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), including sections related to rioting, violence, vandalism, damage to public property and obstructing government servants.
Police also alleged that some protesters snatched police equipment, including jackets and helmets, during the protest at Jantar Mantar. According to police, miscreants allegedly vandalized police vehicles and pelted stones at a police team near Regal Cinema in the Outer Circle of Connaught Place. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET exam paper leak, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)