New Delhi: Protests regarding the NEET exam paper leak are underway in cities across the country, from Delhi to Patna. The agitation continues in the capital, Delhi, even after the ‘Parliament March’ held on July 20. Members of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) have been continuously demonstrating at Jantar Mantar. Now, social activist Anna Hazare has also taken a significant step in support of the CJP.
Anna Hazare staged a silent protest. During this, he condemned the lathi-charge by the Delhi Police against the students; he was moved to tears as he expressed his anguish. His silent protest in support of the Delhi students lasted for two hours. He also appealed to the Central Government to engage in dialogue with the students. Notably, Anna Hazare had previously undertaken a hunger strike for the Jan Lokpal Bill at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in 2011.
Anna’s anguish over the lathi-charge on students
Anna Hazare held a silent protest at Wadia Park in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar). He was deeply pained by the lathi-charge on students in Delhi, and tears welled up in his eyes. Overcome with emotion, he continued his silent protest for two hours in support of the students and urged the Central Government to hold talks.
During the silent demonstration at Wadia Park in Ahilyanagar held in solidarity with the student movement in Delhi, he highlighted the issues faced by the students. He stated that there is a need for serious discussion regarding matters concerning the students’ future.
He appealed for the demands of the students who are protesting democratically to be resolved through dialogue. Anna Hazare sat on this two-hour silent protest at Wadia Park in Ahilyanagar today to support the student movement in Delhi.
Letter written to PM Modi on Wednesday
It is worth noting that on Wednesday, social activist Anna Hazare wrote to PM Narendra Modi, stating that the violence and police action accompanying the ongoing student protests in Delhi were deeply distressing. He remarked that in a democracy, dialogue is always preferable to confrontation.
In his letter, he argued that the government would not be weakened by accepting the resignation of a single minister; rather, it would send a strong message of accountability to other ministers, thereby leading to improvements in governance.
Protesters Hold Ground at Jantar Mantar
Thousands of protesters are also holding their ground at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. At one point, it seemed the CJP-led movement might lose momentum, but the protest gained renewed vigour after the police lathi-charged students during the march to Parliament. A large contingent of young people from across the country had arrived for the march. Reports of clashes between protesters and police personnel also emerged from some locations.
