On Friday, multiple cities across Karnataka saw protests and counter-protests sparked by allegations of irregularities in the NEET examination. Student groups, Dalit organizations, and political activists from both the ruling Congress party and opposition BJP took to the streets, resulting in police detentions and efforts to prevent clashes between rival groups.
Political Tensions Rise Amid NEET Controversy
The protests began as student groups and civil society organizations voiced concerns about the transparency of the NEET exam and police actions against students in Delhi. The BJP responded by protesting attacks on its leaders during a demonstration near the Congress office in Bengaluru earlier in the week. The political rivalry intensified as Congress workers reportedly threw eggs at BJP legislator B P Harish during a protest in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.
In Vijayapura, BJP activists led by district president Gurulingappa Angadi accused the Congress government of "hooliganism" during their protest at Ambedkar Circle, followed by a march towards the Deputy Commissioner's office. Meanwhile, Dalit groups and Aam Aadmi Party activists opposed the BJP's demonstration, leading to police intervention and the detention of over 15 Dalit activists to maintain order.
Protests Spread Across Karnataka Cities
In Hubballi, students and Youth Congress members gathered outside the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences to protest what they described as a lack of transparency in the NEET examination process. Protesters attempted to burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but police prevented this and seized the effigies, ending the protest peacefully despite a brief verbal confrontation.
Kalaburagi saw a protest march organized by the Democratic Thought Forum condemning the alleged police lathi charge on students protesting in Delhi. Another group, Sneha Jagruti Suraksha Manch, submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding a fair investigation into the NEET irregularities and broader reforms in education and justice systems.
Simultaneously, BJP activists in Kalaburagi blocked traffic at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle and attempted to march to the district Congress office. Police stopped the march with barricades and detained several BJP leaders, including MLA Avinash Jadhav and former MLA Dattatreya Patil Revoor.
Security Measures and Political Fallout
In Belagavi, BJP workers organized a rally from Rani Channamma Circle aiming to lay siege to the Congress office. They accused recent NEET protests of being used to insult the Prime Minister, promote anti-national slogans, and target BJP legislators. Police prevented the march from advancing beyond barricades, leading to a brief standoff before dispersing the crowd.
BJP leaders later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding action against those allegedly involved in anti-national slogans. Similar confrontations occurred in Chitradurga, where BJP workers led by MLC K S Naveen protested outside the Congress office. Congress supporters countered the demonstration, resulting in heated exchanges that police quickly quelled. Authorities maintained tight security across these locations to prevent escalation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What sparked the protests in Karnataka related to NEET?
A: The protests were triggered by allegations of irregularities in the NEET examination and concerns over police action against students protesting in Delhi.
Q: Which groups were involved in the protests and counter-protests?
A: Student groups, Dalit organizations, Youth Congress activists, BJP workers, and Aam Aadmi Party activists all participated in various protests and counter-protests across Karnataka.
Q: How did the police respond to the demonstrations?
A: Police detained several protesters, prevented clashes between rival groups, seized effigies during protests, and maintained heightened security to keep the situation under control.
