Manoj Jha, a prominent leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has condemned the actions taken by the police during recent protests against the NEET-UG paper leak in Bihar. He stated that the youth will not forget the images of police using force, including AK-47s, against demonstrators. Jha expressed that such violence is unacceptable and should have no place in future protests against peaceful gatherings.

He pointed out that while the government is introducing the Public Examinations Amendment Bill to tackle paper leak issues, these leak incidents occurred despite existing laws. He highlighted that if influential individuals are involved, laws alone cannot prevent such malpractices. Jha noted that past incidences of corruption, such as the ‘donation dacoity’ in Ayodhya, illustrate that laws are ineffective without the right enforcement.

Furthermore, Jha reminded the public and authorities that youth will remember these violent acts. He affirmed that the RJD has already initiated a writ petition in the Supreme Court pertaining to police actions during the protests, asserting that there should be no tolerance for violence against peaceful demonstrations.

Opposition Voices Alarm Over Government’s Handling of Protests

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy accused the central government of attempting to distract from its actions during the July 20 police crackdown on demonstrators. According to Reddy, the resignation of the Education Minister and the introduction of the new bill are mere tactics to divert public attention from police brutality. He demanded an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the police violence against students.

Reddy emphasised that reforms in the education sector need to be driven by genuine intent rather than political motives. He noted that the government’s responsiveness to public outcry suggests a lack of prior concern for students’ futures. He underscored a need for political reforms that allow youth participation, referencing a proposal by Telangana’s Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, to enable individuals aged 21 to contest elections.

Reddy further lamented that the lack of representation for Generation Z in legislative bodies is a significant concern, with no youth currently sitting in the Vidhan Sabha or Lok Sabha. He concluded that changes in representation are vital for ensuring that the interests of younger generations are adequately addressed.

Calls for Accountability and Reform in Law Enforcement

Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj raised alarms regarding the treatment of students by the authorities, questioning why police would respond with extreme measures such as AK-47s against stduents advocating for their rights. Saroj called the government’s perception of students as a threat deeply troubling and urged the Union Home Minister to respond to this concern in Parliament.

Alongside Saroj, fellow MP Iqra Hasan demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah issue statements regarding the police’s handling of the protests, asserting that the excessive force used was unjustifiable. Hasan emphasised that the government must focus on preventing such incidents rather than merely addressing them post-factum.

Congress MP Neeraj Dangi echoed similar sentiments, urging accountability from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the police actions across various states. Dangi stressed that the Union Home Minister must take responsibility, as police operations require government directives. He demanded a clear response from authorities and an apology for the brutal treatment of students.

The backdrop of these discussions includes the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the subsequent introduction of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill by the government to address issues related to paper leaks in the country.

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