Chandrashekhar Bawankule calls CJP protest 'nautanki', says agitation aims to defame Centre over NEET issue

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday dismissed the Cockroach Janta Partys CJP agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination as a politically motivated campaign aimed at defaming the government He also called for a thorough investigation into the alleged stonepelting incidents reported during the protest march in New DelhiThe senior BJP leader defended Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accused the Opposition of attempting to create unrest among young people by politicising the issueBawankule terms agitation a nautankiSpeaking to reporters in Nagpur Bawankule described the ongoing protest as nautanki drama alleging that political opponents were manufacturing issues after exhausting other avenues of criticism against the governmentHe claimed that some students had genuine concerns following the cancellation of the NEET examination but alleged that political groups were exploiting those concerns to fuel public angerThis cockroach CJP agitation is a nautanki as they cant find any issues they are scheming to create resentment in young people Some young people have joined the movement here out of genuine distress because NEET was cancelled and they are upset But that doesnt mean the government didnt take any action Did any of our ministers leak papers Did Chandrashekhar Bawankule or Dharmendra Pradhan leak any paper he saidMinister defends Centres handling of NEET issueBawankule maintained that the Central government acted promptly after reports of the NEET paper leak emerged and initiated action against those allegedly involvedHe claimed that examination paper leaks had occurred repeatedly during previous Congress governments but had not triggered protests of a similar scaleAccording to the minister the government introduced stricter measures to strengthen the examination process and ensure accountabilityHe argued that instead of proposing reforms to improve the system Opposition parties were focusing on demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra PradhanCalls for investigation into Delhi protest violenceThe minister also demanded an investigation into the violence that erupted during the CJPs Sansad Chalo march in the national capital on MondayThousands of CJP supporters had marched towards Parliament demanding Pradhans resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination Police said protesters attempted to breach barricades leading to clashes in which more than 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters were reported injuredDelhi Police have since registered FIRs against unidentified persons in connection with allegations of rioting vandalism stonepelting and damage to public propertyReferring to the incidents Bawankule said a detailed probe was necessary to determine how the violence unfoldedThis agitation was done purposely to defame the government and create resentment against the government he saidRemarks come amid continuing nationwide protestsBawankules comments came as protests over the alleged NEETUG paper leak continued in Delhi and several other citiesThe demonstrations intensified after activist Sonam Wangchuk who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding Dharmendra Pradhans resignation was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18The CJP has maintained that the agitation will continue until its demands are met while Opposition parties have criticised the police action against protestersMeanwhile the Centre has defended its handling of the issue stating that action was taken immediately after the alleged paper leak surfaced and that those responsible have been arrestedWith inputs from PTI