Annamalai Questions Delay in NEET Protest Talks
Former BJP leader K. Annamalai has questioned the Centre over its delayed engagement with NEET protesters, asking why meaningful dialogue began only after the agitation escalated in Delhi.
Annamalai Questions Delay in NEET Talks
Annamalai said the BJP-led Central government should have initiated discussions with protesters much earlier. He asked why officials waited until the agitation reached a flashpoint before beginning formal engagement with representatives.
Calling peaceful protest a fundamental democratic right, Annamalai urged the Centre to maintain transparency and take swift action to address students’ concerns. He said young people’s confidence in the fairness and credibility of educational institutions was critical to the country’s future.
His remarks followed talks between Union Minister J.P. Nadda and representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party, which is leading the protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Former BJP Leader Backs NEET Exam
Annamalai reiterated his support for NEET, arguing that a common entrance examination had brought uniformity to medical admissions and expanded opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
However, he said repeated question paper leaks had severely damaged public confidence in the examination system. Annamalai claimed the NEET paper had been leaked three times over the past five years and criticised the lack of accountability for the recurring breaches.
Warning Against NEET Protest Hijack
While backing the students’ right to raise their concerns, Annamalai cautioned protest leaders against allowing people with vested interests to divert the agitation from its original objectives.
He said prolonged demonstrations could attract individuals seeking to use the movement to advance unrelated political agendas. Annamalai urged organisers to ensure that the focus remained on examination integrity, accountability and student welfare.
The protesters continue to demand Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, while the government has announced examination reforms and fast-track courts for paper leak cases.
