Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, launched a blistering attack on the Union government on Friday for the ongoing protests against alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities.
Gandhi, speaking at a press conference with a student who was injured during the protests, claimed that the student suffered a pellet gun injury during a peaceful demonstration and carrying the national flag.
“The government says no pellet guns were used. This is what a pellet gun injury looks like. His eye has been damaged,” Gandhi said of the student’s injured eye.
The Congress leader claimed that the student had been peacefully participating in the protest while holding the Tricolour when he was injured. He claimed that the student was unable to see properly from the affected eye.
“Pellet guns were fired. They were attacking students who were peacefully protesting. He was holding the Tricolour when he was hit. One of his eyes won't open and he couldn't see from that eye,” Gandhi said.
The allegations come amid growing political tension over the protests against alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities. Delhi has been in an ever-growing state of revolt against the government and students and opposition parties are demanding the government and system be reformed.
Gandhi also launched a personal attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling him a “criminal Education Minister” and demanding his resignation.
“The government is lying,” said the Leader of Opposition, referring to the government’s stance on pellet guns during the protests.
Gandhi claimed lakhs of students had been affected by exam irregularities. He said students who spent years preparing for the highly competitive examination had been put at a disadvantage because of the alleged paper leak.
“Their paper was leaked. They spent years preparing for the exam, while those who bought the paper got ahead. Lakhs of students have been denied opportunities,” he said.
The controversy has also resulted in a prolonged political deadlock in Parliament. The Monsoon Session has been disrupted for five days now as the Opposition and the government have not been able to agree on the conditions for a debate on NEET.
The government has insisted that it will hold an immediate discussion without any preconditions. The Opposition, however, has kept on demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan before any discussion can take place.
Rahul Gandhi also identified three key demands: the resignation of the Education Minister and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Opposition parties have also demanded action against those responsible for alleged examination irregularities and accountability for the police action against protesting students.
The government has rejected the Opposition's insistence on linking the debate to preconditions and has accused the Opposition of preventing Parliament from functioning.
The NEET controversy is still going to be the subject of political discussion with both sides holding strong. Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of pellet guns are likely to escalate the situation between the government and the opposition in and outside Parliament.
