CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, addressing a press conference at the BJP State Office in Nampally, Hyderabad, alleged that anti-national and anarchic elements had infiltrated the nationwide protests over the NEET paper leak issue.
He claimed that while the protests were projected as student-led demonstrations, certain individuals were raising anti-national slogans and resorting to violence. According to the Minister, protesters attacked both police personnel and journalists, leaving 118 police personnel injured.
Questioning the nature of the protests, Bandi Sanjay asked, “If these are student protests, why are protesters carrying stones and iron rods?” He further alleged that there was a conspiracy to target Parliament under the guise of the demonstrations and asserted that the police used force only against those involved in violent activities and law-and-order disturbances.
Criticizing the opposition parties, the Union Minister accused them of attempting to politicize the issue for political gains. He also alleged that misinformation regarding the protests was being spread from Pakistan. Drawing comparisons with previous governments, Bandi Sanjay stated that question paper leaks had occurred around 70 times during the UPA regime and 18 times during the Congress government in Rajasthan. He questioned whether ministers or political leaders had resigned in states such as Rajasthan, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Kerala following similar incidents.
He also referred to Telangana, asking whether BRS leaders had resigned when multiple examination paper leak incidents allegedly occurred during the previous BRS government.
The Union Minister said the Central Government is taking students’ concerns seriously, but criticized what he described as attempts by opposition parties to exploit student protests for political purposes. He maintained that action was taken only against those allegedly involved in violence, while reiterating the government’s commitment to addressing the issue through lawful means.
