Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the government's handling of NEET-UG student protests outside the Parliament building in Delhi [1].
The situation highlights growing tension between the medical student community and the government over allegations of a scam within the national entrance exam. The response from law enforcement has intensified political calls for accountability and a formal dialogue to address student grievances.
Tharoor denounced the use of force against the demonstrators, saying that the government greeted the students with violence and lathi [1]. He also criticized the detention of protest leaders and the decision to shut down local transport services during the unrest [1, 2].
"Who's threatening the Metro? I don't understand the logic of shutting down ..." Tharoor said [1].
The MP urged for a parliamentary discussion to resolve the crisis, arguing that the state must engage with the youth rather than suppress them. He noted that the students represent the future of the country and should not be left feeling abandoned by the administration [1, 3].
"The real issue is the feelings of the students; they're the future of the country," Tharoor said. "If they're feeling betrayed and let down, there ought to be some opportunity to reach out to them" [1].
Tharoor expressed surprise that the government allowed the situation to escalate to a point where police action became the primary response [1]. The protests stem from student claims of a NEET-UG scam, which they say has compromised the integrity of the medical admission process [1, 2].
“The real issue is the feelings of the students; they're the future of the country.”
The involvement of high-profile legislators like Tharoor elevates the NEET-UG controversy from a student grievance to a national political issue. By calling for a parliamentary discussion, the opposition is attempting to force the government to move beyond police containment and provide a transparent explanation for the alleged exam irregularities.
