NSUI March to CM House over NEET paper leak:Police use water cannons in Bhopal, 200 detained; Digvijaya demands minister’s resignation

Hundreds of workers from Congress student wing NSUI staged a major protest in Bhopal on Friday against alleged irregularities and paper leak in the NEET examination. The protesters marched toward the Chief Minister’s residence, but police stopped them at Red Cross Square by putting up barricades. The situation turned tense during the demonstration, prompting police to use water cannons five times to control the crowd. Former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, MP Congress chief Jitu Patwari and around 200 Congress workers were taken into custody. The leaders were later taken away in police buses. NSUI workers and Congress leaders had begun the rally from the state Congress office and were heading toward the CM residence. Anticipating tension and a large turnout, police had made elaborate security arrangements at Red Cross Square, deploying heavy barricading, water cannons and a large police force. As the protesters reached the square, police prevented them from moving ahead. Despite repeated appeals by police officials to end the protest, workers remained adamant about reaching the Chief Minister’s residence. NSUI President Climbed on Barricading, Police Used Water Cannons During the protest, NSUI National President Vinod Jakhar and several workers climbed onto the barricades. Jakhar repeatedly attempted to cross the barricades, following which police used water cannons five times to push protesters back. Despite the powerful water jets, protesters refused to disperse. Many continued standing in front of the barricades and raised slogans against the Central Government, creating a tense atmosphere at the protest site. Digvijaya Singh Said – Education Minister Should Resign Addressing the gathering, Rajya Sabha MP and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign on moral grounds over the alleged NEET irregularities and paper leak controversy. He said the future of millions of students was at stake and any compromise with the interests of young people would not be tolerated. He also demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the matter. Congress takes to the streets in support of students Congress leaders alleged that repeated incidents of examination paper leaks have raised serious questions about the credibility of the country’s education system. They claimed hardworking students were being treated unfairly and accused the government of avoiding accountability. The party demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged NEET irregularities and strict legal action against those responsible to prevent similar incidents in the future. See pictures of the protest demonstration… Workers climbed on stage, Jitu Patwari gave instructions The protest venue witnessed brief chaos when a large number of NSUI workers climbed onto the stage, leading to overcrowding and disorder. Seeing the situation, Jitu Patwari instructed workers to step down from the stage. Former minister Kamleshwar Patel also appealed for restraint and requested workers to clear the stage so Digvijaya Singh could reach it with dignity. Digvijaya Initially Refuses to Go on Stage Amid the crowding and disorder around the stage, Digvijaya Singh initially refused to go up. However, senior leaders and workers later escorted him to the stage, after which he addressed the gathering. These leaders were present The protest was attended by Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, Digvijaya Singh, former ministers P.C. Sharma, Sukhdev Panse, Kamleshwar Patel, NSUI National President Vinod Jakhar and a large number of Congress and NSUI workers. Protesters raised slogans against the Central Government over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities, while demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and strict action against those found responsible.