The national capital witnessed a significant escalation in tensions as protests at Jantar Mantar regarding the paper leak issue turned violent for the third consecutive day. On Wednesday night, the situation took a dark turn when miscreants, who had reportedly infiltrated the ranks of the protesters, launched a coordinated attack on the security forces stationed at the site. The attackers used stones, sticks, and lathis to target the police personnel who were maintaining law and order in the high-security zone. This sudden outburst of violence has resulted in injuries to several police officers, including high-ranking officials who were leading the security arrangements on the ground.
Details of the Attack and Injuries
According to reports from the site, the violence broke out near Tolstoy Marg in Delhi. The police stated that teams from the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed at their designated spots as part of the daily security routine. However, the situation deteriorated when a section of the crowd began pelting stones at the security personnel. Among those injured in the clash are two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) and two Police Inspectors. Specifically, ACP Vivek Bhagat of Connaught Place and ACP Jai Prakash were identified as being among the wounded. The police noted that the protesters were armed with sticks and initially started with stone-pelting before moving in to physically assault the officers with lathis. In response to the escalating violence, a massive police force has been deployed around Jantar Mantar to prevent further unrest.
Government Proposes Discussion in Parliament
Amidst the ongoing turmoil at Jantar Mantar, the Modi government has made a significant move to de-escalate the situation, while the government has once again appealed to the opposition parties to engage in a formal discussion regarding the NEET paper leak case within the Parliament. In an open offer, the government has stated that the opposition can decide the specific day and the duration for which they wish to discuss the matter, while the administration emphasized that it's actively working on improving the system to ensure that paper leaks don't occur in the future. Plus, the government expressed its willingness to incorporate any constructive suggestions provided by the opposition into the new system reforms.
Opposition Remains Firm on Resignation
Despite the government's offer for a parliamentary debate, the opposition remains steadfast in its demands. The protesting parties have refused to accept the offer, insisting instead on the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Union Minister JP Nadda, while assuring a discussion on the paper leak in Parliament, criticized the opposition's stance. He questioned why leaders like Rahul Gandhi don't mention paper leak incidents occurring in non-BJP ruled states, accusing the opposition of playing politics over a sensitive issue involving the future of students. The deadlock continues as the opposition refuses to back down from its demand for accountability at the ministerial level.
Sonam Wangchuk's Conditional Offer to End Fast
In a related development, Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike regarding the paper leak issue, has released a video message from the hospital, while in the video, Wangchuk hinted at the possibility of ending his fast, but he has placed specific conditions before the government. He stated that he would consider ending his protest if the government provides a firm assurance that it will stop using force against the students and withdraw the legal cases filed against them. However, the CJP (organizers) remains firm on their demand that the movement will continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down from his post.
Metro Station Closures and Public Impact
The ongoing protests have also led to significant disruptions in the city's public transport system, while on Thursday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) decided to close 16 metro stations as a precautionary measure to maintain security and manage the crowd. Key stations that remain closed include Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, ITO, Delhi Gate, Mandi House, and the Supreme Court metro station, while Also, Khan Market and Central Secretariat stations have also been shut down. These closures have caused considerable inconvenience to daily commuters, as these stations are vital hubs for the city's transit network.
Salman Khan Expresses Concern Over Violence
The protests have also drawn comments from the film industry, with actor Salman Khan issuing a statement on the situation at Jantar Mantar. Salman Khan remarked that while the movement started as a peaceful protest, it's deeply saddening to see it turn violent, while he expressed his sympathies for the students and their families who were injured during the clashes. Khan described the paper leak as a very serious issue and noted his appreciation for the fact that the youth of the country and their parents have united for a better education system. However, he cautioned that the issue is fundamentally between the students and the education system and shouldn't be hijacked for political gains.
Police Suspect Infiltration by Anti-Social Elements
Delhi Police sources have indicated that the protest at Jantar Mantar has been increasingly influenced by external anti-social elements, while according to these sources, individuals have entered the crowd carrying sharp stones and bottles, which they use to suddenly attack uniformed personnel. This tactic often triggers the rest of the crowd to become aggressive. The police have stated that many of these elements aren't listening to the organizers (CJP) and are deliberately targeting security forces. Despite the provocation, sources suggest that the government has not yet issued orders for strict retaliatory action, as they prefer to find a solution through dialogue. Consequently, the security forces are exercising extreme restraint, focusing primarily on self-defense rather than an aggressive crackdown.