'Shame on govt': Mamata Banerjee to join CJP protest in Delhi? TMC chief releases BIG statement, speaks against police atrocities

Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday night (Jul 21) extended her support to the students' protest in the national capital and has hinted that she will join “if need be.” In a statement, she also slammed the Union government and Delhi Police for their atrocities against the protesters. She called the NEET paper leak “unacceptable”, adding that her party fully supports the Opposition's sit-in demonstration as well as protest by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

Addressing the TMC's Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata, Banerjee said, "We supported CJP from the beginning. If need be, I will visit Delhi and join their protest." She also requested all non BJP parties to unite “under the umbrella of the INDIA Alliance." Later, taking to X, she wrote, “ Shame on the Union government. The All India Trinamool Congress fully supports the sit-down protest by the Opposition today near Akbar Road. She said that the police atrocities on our youth in Delhi is "unacceptable.” She also said that police atrocities happened in Kolkata, adding that “BJP goons” allegedly attempted to disrupt preparations for our Martyrs' Day programme."

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Congress mounts pressure on the government

Earlier on Jul 21, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and several other senior leaders staged a dharna outside the prime minister's residence in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They were later dragged and detainednand area was cleared. On Jul 22, all Congress MPs arrived in the Parliament in black clothes. Additionally, Congress MP and General Secretary K C Venugopal sought an adjournment motion calling for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to make a suo motu statement in the House explaining the repeated examination paper leak incidents during his tenure.

NEET paper leaks, CJP's and the protests?

New Delhi is witnessing massive protest demanding greater accountability from the ruling government on matters of education. This was triggered after the examination paper of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET UG was leaked in May this year and exam was cancelled. The re-test was conducted late last month. At least 21 students have died by suicide following the leak. Around the same time, Justice Surya Kant who called unemployed youths of the country as “cockroaches” while hearing a case. Though he later clarified that his comments were taken out of context, it led to formation of CJP.

Also Read: 'Shame on govt': Mamata Banerjee to join CJP protest in Delhi? TMC chief releases BIG statement, speaks against police atrocities

The movement gathered traction online and soon spilled out of the internet. CJP members formed a group and began their protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding resignation of the Union Education Minister. Days later, activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the protesters and started a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.

Also Read: 'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation

On July 20, thousands gathered at the Jantar Mantar to take part in the Parliament march announced by CJP. However, CJP leaders didn't lead the protests and two spokesperson of the group met Union Minister JP Nadda and submitted their written demands to the minister. They said that the minister assured him that he would get back to them after speaking to higher leadership. Even as this unfolded, crowd swelled at the location, and Delhi Police used batons and tear gas to disperse them. Though, police denied “use of force”, videos showed Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel chasing the protesters and using tear gas shells at several locations around Jantar Mantar including Connaught Place.

Later, at night, despite the crackdown, the protesters gathered again at Jantar Mantar with CJP's Abhijit Dipke leading them and apologizing for not being able to save the students. Since then, the protests has continued even as Centre has deployed BSF and other para military forces in the area, alongside Delhi police.