NEW DELHI — Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor strongly criticized the Union government over the ongoing NEET-UG paper leak controversy, stating that hardworking students across the nation have been “betrayed by the system they trusted to ensure their futures.”
Speaking in an interview with NDTV, Tharoor condemned the police response to student demonstrations in the capital and questioned the government’s handling of Opposition leaders and student activists.
Key Statements & Allegations
The Congress leader addressed student grievances, police action, and political detentions surrounding the Jantar Mantar demonstrations:
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Critique of Opposition Detentions: Referring to the recent police detention of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a demonstration near the Prime Minister’s residence, Tharoor remarked that “this is not how a mature democracy behaves,” asserting that the government is relying on police force rather than moral authority.
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Allegations of Police Excesses: Describing his visit to the Jantar Mantar protest site, Tharoor recounted statements from student demonstrators detailing allegations of harsh police action, including lathi-charges and physical injuries during their march toward Parliament.
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Rejection of BJP Charges: Dismissing the BJP’s accusation that the Opposition is “weaponizing” student aspirations, Tharoor maintained that holding the executive accountable for public system failures is a fundamental democratic responsibility.
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Ongoing Protests: Demonstrations persist at Jantar Mantar, with activist Sonam Wangchuk on a hunger strike and Opposition parties continuing their push for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
