New Delhi/Hyderabad, July 22: The spiralling agitation over the NEET issue saw protests and counter-protests by Congress and BJP across the country on Wednesday, with clashes and tense face-offs at many places, a day after Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were forcibly removed from a dharna outside the prime minister’s residence.
While Congress leaders and workers were angry over the police “high-handedness” and “ill-treatment” of party leaders, who were detained and later released on Tuesday night, the BJP protested against what it said was “unruly and anarchist behaviour” of Gandhi and opposition leaders.
Backing the protesting students, Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over examination irregularities, an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the violence on Monday, action against those involved in assaulting students and education reforms.
Leaders and workers of both parties, led by their state chiefs at many places, tried to march to each other’s offices but were stopped by police, which detained many of them.
In Hyderabad, two persons, including a woman police constable, were injured following violent clashes between the cadres of the BJP and ruling Congress near the saffron party’s state headquarters.
The confrontation began when the cops intercepted a group of Congress workers and party MLC Venkat Balmoor as they marched towards the BJP office in response to an attempt by some saffron party leaders and members to march towards the state Congress office.
In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Congress and BJP workers clashed as they came face to face during their protests, triggering tension. Both parties accused each other of violence and provocation.
Workers of the BJP and the Congress came to blows in Patna when cadres of the ruling party took out a procession, accusing the opposition of unleashing “anarchy”.
The BJP march, led by state president Sanjay Saraogi, proceeded to the gates of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters at Sadaqat Ashram, with party workers carrying posters and banners against Gandhi.
Cops intervened after Congress workers armed with bamboo sticks confronted the BJP procession, leading to a clash. Several persons from both sides were seen bleeding profusely.
The BJP and Congress battled on the streets as students and other parties held protests at many places on Wednesday in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party’s stir, including in Patna which witnessed a pitched battle between hundreds of student activists and the police near the state assembly. (PTI)
