Top News

Political tensions rose over the Cockroach Janata Party’s NEET protest, with Maharashtra’s ruling alliance and Opposition taking opposing positions. BJP leaders defended Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and questioned the agitation, while Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) leaders backed protesters. The demonstration seeks action over alleged exam irregularities and has gained wider support.

Mumbai: The political battle over the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) anti-NEET paper leak agitation in Delhi intensified on Tuesday, with Maharashtra's ruling alliance and Opposition trading sharp accusations as the protest gained nationwide support.

CM alleges vested interests infiltrated student movement

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the right to peaceful protest but warned that violence would not be tolerated. He said many students participating in the agitation had genuine concerns, but alleged that "vested interests" had infiltrated the movement to create unrest. He claimed some participants were not even aware of the NEET examination and accused political parties of exploiting the protests for their own agenda. Fadnavis also praised the police for exercising restraint during the demonstrations.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule dismissed the agitation as a "nautanki" (drama), alleging that public anger over exam irregularities was being artificially manufactured. Defending Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, he denied any role of BJP leaders in the alleged paper leak and demanded an inquiry into incidents of stone-pelting during the protest.