Didi Likely To Join CJP Delhi Stir On July 27
The former West Bengal chief minister, who earlier announced her plans from her party rally on July 21, wrote on X-handle on Friday, “I have stood firmly with the students and their movement from the very beginning.
Kolkata: Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is expected to join Cockroach Janata Party’s ongoing agitation on July 27 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over the demand of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation among other issues over the NEET question paper leak scandal. She is also likely to address the stir and later interact with other I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders during her tour.
The former West Bengal chief minister, who earlier announced her plans from her party rally on July 21, wrote on X-handle on Friday, “I have stood firmly with the students and their movement from the very beginning. Their fight is not just for justice in the NEET scam- It is a fight to protect the future of every young Indian. The brutal crackdown by the Delhi Police on peaceful protesters is deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable.”
She observed, “Students were mercilessly beaten, lathi-charged, fired upon with pellet guns and subjected to tear gas simply for demanding accountability. So fearful is the Union Government of a peaceful democratic movement that it reportedly suspended internet services in and around Jantar Mantar and invoked the draconian National Security Act (NSA) to carry out preventive detentions of students- The very future of our nation.”
Attacking the BJP, Ms Banerjee alleged, “The Prime Minister speaks of zero tolerance towards corruption and promises strict accountability. Yet, only yesterday, the CBI stated that it found no evidence against the alleged kingpin in the 2024 NEET paper leak case. If those accused of destroying the future of lakhs of students continue to escape accountability, who is the government really protecting?”
She claimed, “Why is it so desperate to shield the Education Minister instead of answering the questions being raised by students across the country? The entire Opposition, along with the entire nation, stands firmly with our students and youth. I salute every young Indian for their indomitable spirit, unwavering courage, and refusal to bow before lathis, intimidation or the abuse of state power. India is proud of you all.”
Her message came after a clash broke out between the participants of a joint protest rally, taken out by CJP and Leftist student organisations, and Kolkata Police and central forces personnel, disrupting traffic in the heart of the city. The tussle unfolded as soon as the march, echoing the demands of the Jantar Mantar stir, reached its destination at Esplanade at around 5 pm after starting from Sealdah.
The rallyists blocked Dorina Crossing and hurled shoes, water bottles and various other items towards the cops and central forces troopers deployed there. They also heckled journalists. The police and central forces personnel later retaliated to the unruly demonstrators with lathicharge. The situation became normal at around 7 pm. The CJP earlier sought permission from the Kolkata Police for its maiden rally in the city to take its agitation beyond New Delhi but merged its march with that of the Leftist student organisations after not getting the nod.
