Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Jul 22: State health minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U T Khader launched a scathing attack on the central government over the alleged NEET question paper leak, the reported police action against protesting students, and the handling of the issue, asserting that "when injustice becomes law, protest becomes a duty."

Addressing a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru, Khader alleged that students protesting against the alleged paper leak and the reported suicides linked to it were subjected to a brutal lathi-charge. He further claimed that, along with the police, certain local elements were also involved in assaulting the protesting students.

Strongly condemning the detention of leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders who had extended support to the students, Khader alleged that the issue was not allowed to be discussed in the parliament and that whenever attempts were made to raise it, the proceedings were adjourned. He said suppressing students' voices both inside and outside the parliament amounted to an insult to the constitution and democratic values.

Claiming that lacs of students and their families were under severe mental stress, Khader alleged that nearly 20 students had died by suicide following the controversy surrounding the NEET examination. He questioned whether seeking reforms and demanding accountability was wrong in a democratic country and said students and citizens had every right to protest against injustice.

Demanding accountability, Khader said the union education minister should accept moral responsibility for the alleged lapses and resign immediately. He also called for financial compensation and support to the families of students who lost their lives or suffered severe mental trauma due to the controversy.

Appealing directly to prime minister Narendra Modi, Khader urged him to break his silence and respond to the concerns of students and parents across the country. He questioned why the central government had failed to intervene promptly and said timely action could have prevented the widespread protests.

Referring to Karnataka's experience with NEET, Khader said the examination system was first implemented in the state during the Congress government led by former chief minister Veerappa Moily and functioned without major irregularities. He alleged that after the centre assumed control of the examination process, several issues surfaced, including seats meant for Karnataka students being allotted to candidates from other states. If the centre was unable to conduct the examination transparently, he said, the responsibility should be handed back to the states.

Khader also questioned who the "kingpins" behind the alleged paper leak were and demanded a thorough investigation to identify those responsible. Referring to media reports, he said the masterminds behind the leak must be brought to justice and that those holding moral responsibility should step down.

The minister further demanded an investigation into the alleged presence of fake police personnel during the protests. Questioning how such individuals managed to enter the police force and under whose influence they operated, he said the matter required a comprehensive probe to fix accountability.

Drawing parallels with historic public movements, Khader said protests had always been instrumental in bringing about change in a democracy. "When injustice becomes law, protest becomes the duty of the people," he reiterated, adding that the Congress would continue its agitation at the district and taluk levels until justice was delivered to the affected students.