AISA Alleges Delhi Police Brutality During NEET Protest March to Parliament
The All India Students' Association (AISA) on Tuesday accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force and lathi-charging students during their 'Sansad Chalo' protest march in New Delhi on Monday. Speaking at a press conference at the Press Club of India on Tuesday, student leaders demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and strict action against the police officers involved.
The demonstration on Monday was organised following a call by the Cockroach Janta Party. Students and activists joined the march to demand accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. However, as the demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament, Delhi Police personnel stopped them at multiple points using heavy barricading.
AISA leaders and student participants alleged that police personnel assaulted peaceful demonstrators, dragged them, and used excessive force to disperse the gathering. The student organisation claimed that several activists sustained serious injuries during the police action.
Among those injured was Rovin, a Delhi University office-bearer of AISA, who reportedly suffered a fracture in his left arm. The student body also alleged that several other activists sustained injuries to their necks, backs, arms, and legs, while another student suffered a dislocated shoulder.
AISA All India President Neha, who had just ended a 23-day hunger strike on Monday, spoke at the Tuesday press conference. She alleged that the police action demonstrated the government's unwillingness to address the concerns of the student community. Neha stated that instead of responding to questions about education and employment, the government chose to respond with barricades and lathis.
Neha reiterated the student body's demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and declared that the protest movement would continue. The demonstrations persisted on Tuesday as hundreds of students gathered at Jantar Mantar to carry forward their movement.
