Opposition Protests in Parliament Over Police Action on NEET Protesters, Seeks Amit Shah’s Apology

NEW DELHI, Jul 27: Opposition MPs, led by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex on Monday against the alleged police excesses on students during the nationwide agitation over the NEET paper leak, demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Carrying placards and a large banner, the MPs assembled near the Makar Dwar of Parliament and raised slogans condemning the alleged use of force against student protesters. They sought accountability from the government over what they described as “police brutality” during the demonstrations. Among those who joined the protest were Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, JMM’s Mahua Maji and several other Opposition leaders. Separately, MPs of the DMK held a demonstration demanding the abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), the entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions. The Congress-led Opposition is expected to continue pressing the issue in Parliament, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged assault on students and seeking apologies from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to Shah, seeking accountability for what he termed a “barbaric assault” on peacefully protesting students. In his letter, Gandhi questioned whether the Home Minister had authorised the use of “lethal force”, including pellet guns, against demonstrators. Emphasising that peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, Gandhi said it is the government’s responsibility to protect protesters and address their grievances through dialogue rather than force. “Such brutal violence destroys every norm and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard,” Gandhi said in his letter.