Naveen Patnaik calls for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over protest

Odisha LoP Naveen Patnaik demands Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, condemning police action on CJP protestors in Delhi. Opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar have extended support, criticising the handling of the student protest.

Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday called for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and condemned the police action on protestors in Delhi. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held a 'Sansad Chalo' protest in the national capital on Monday, which was met with police action. "I just had a meeting with BJD MPs on the serious matter of what is happening in Delhi. The situation is very grave. Many young students have been violently attacked. BJD MPs have been to the hospital to see them. I have to return for serious matters to Bhubaneswar tomorrow morning. But our MPs will seriously take up the present matter. I have also been asked whether the education minister should resign. Under the circumstances, I think he should resign."

Protest Aftermath and Injuries

The BJD Rajya Sabha MPs visited the injured protestors at RML Hospital. Delhi Police has claimed that more than 118 police personnel were also injured in clashes. More than 60 protesters have sustained injuries. Police have registered five FIRs in connection with alleged violence, stone-pelting and vandalism and are examining more than 250 videos to identify those involved in the incidents.

Opposition Leaders Extend Support

The Opposition leaders have strongly criticised the police action and alleged that the protestors were "lathi-charged" and met with tear gas. Earlier today, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule arrived at the Jantar Mantar protest site, where the CJP is continuing its protest against the NEET-UG paper leak. NCP(SCP) has extended its support to the call for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Sharad Pawar posted on X, "In the backdrop of the paper leak in the NEET exam, students have staged a hunger strike and protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The treatment meted out to the students who were fighting for their just demands yesterday is unworthy of democratic values. Today, I visited the protest site, met with the students, inquired about those injured during the agitation, and also learned in detail about their demands." He urged the Centre to "sensitively consider the demands" and take appropriate action. "The Indian Constitution has provided protection to the rights and entitlements of every citizen of the country, and the government and administration are accountable to the people. Therefore, instead of suppressing the students and citizens who are protesting peacefully for their demands, the government should sensitively consider their demands and take appropriate action by duly noting them," he added.

Union Ministers Visit Injured

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda also visited RML Hospital and met the injured protesters. Nadda on Monday also met a delegation of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which submitted its demands to the government. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)