Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Wednesday renewed his demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the ongoing NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
He also announced that the BJD would intensify its agitation across Odisha in support of students protesting the alleged irregularities in the examination.
Addressing reporters at the Biju Patnaik International Airport after returning to Bhubaneswar from New Delhi, Patnaik said the controversy surrounding the examinations had “shocked the entire nation” and warranted accountability at the highest level.
“There is an agitation across the country over what has happened to young students and the university examinations, which has shocked the entire nation. We will hold agitations in Odisha as well,” he said.
Patnaik further said that the demand for Pradhan’s resignation was being raised across the country and by protesters outside Indian embassies abroad.
“People across the country are demanding his resignation. Protests are taking place not only in India but also outside our embassies in foreign countries. After what has happened with these university examinations, I think he should resign,” he said.
Patnaik also criticised the police for their handling of the protests, alleging that excessive force had been used against students and Opposition leaders.
“Everyone is deeply shocked by the unnecessary police violence against young students. Not only the students, but yesterday we also saw the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and several other senior politicians being treated very roughly by the police. This is shocking,” he said.
The former Odisha chief minister reiterated that the BJD would continue to raise the issue in the state, expressing solidarity with students protesting the examination controversy.
The NEET-UG paper leak controversy has triggered widespread protests across the country, with Opposition parties accusing the Centre of failing to safeguard the integrity of competitive examinations and demanding accountability from the Union Education Ministry.
