A massive protest march organized by the Youth Congress demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities and corruption in the NEET examination erupted into chaos on Monday after police used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse demonstrators near the Chief Minister’s official residence.
The rally, which drew more than a hundred Youth Congress workers and supporters, was organized to highlight a range of issues, including alleged corruption in the NEET examination process, rising prices, and growing unemployment. Protesters marched through the city carrying placards and raising slogans against the central government, demanding accountability and immediate action.
Tensions escalated when the procession reached the IGM Hospital area, where security personnel had erected barricades to prevent the crowd from advancing towards the Chief Minister’s residence. Determined to continue their march, protesters attempted to breach the barricades, prompting police to intervene.
As demonstrators pushed forward, police first deployed water cannons to disperse the gathering. However, when the crowd continued its advance, security forces intensified their response with a second round of water cannon action followed by a lathi-charge. Several protesters reportedly sustained injuries during the crackdown, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of chaos as injured activists collapsed on the road and were rushed for medical treatment.
Youth Congress president Neel Kamal Saha strongly condemned the police action, accusing the administration of using excessive force to suppress democratic protests. He alleged that peaceful demonstrators were targeted for raising legitimate concerns about corruption and public issues.
The incident triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, who questioned why peaceful political demonstrations were met with such force while criminal activities and drug-related offenses often receive a less aggressive response. Critics described the police action as an attack on democratic rights and freedom of expression.
Police officials, however, defended their actions, stating that strict measures were necessary to maintain law and order and protect the high-security zone surrounding the Chief Minister’s residence. Authorities maintained that no attempt to breach security could be tolerated.
Later, Neel Kamal Saha and several protesters were detained and taken to the AD Nagar Police Lines. Although the situation was eventually brought under control, images of injured activists and the police crackdown have ignited fresh political controversy across the state.
