Coimbatore BJP Urges Collector to Deny Permission for Anti-NEET Protests, Cites Public Order Concerns

Coimbatore: The nationwide agitation against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) has gathered momentum in Coimbatore, with student organisations including the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and district members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) staging protests demanding the abolition of the examination and condemning the Centre over the recent NEET paper leak controversy.

Notably, the anti-NEET agitation also spread to educational institutions in Coimbatore, with students of the Government Arts College at Race Course boycotting classes and staging an indefinite sit-in protest in support of the ongoing movement against the examination and the Centre’s handling of the NEET paper leak issue.

The protesters have alleged that irregularities in the NEET examination have caused severe distress to students and their families, and have claimed that the examination has adversely affected the future of aspiring medical students. They have also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and condemned the police action against students participating in protests in Delhi.

Amid the ongoing protests, the BJP’s Coimbatore City unit on Thursday submitted a petition to the District Collector’s Office urging the administration not to grant permission for anti-NEET demonstrations in the city, alleging that such protests could disrupt public peace and communal harmony.

Addressing reporters after submitting the petition, BJP Coimbatore City District President Ramesh said NEET was introduced to ensure equal opportunities for students from all sections of society to pursue medical education and to improve access to quality healthcare.

He alleged that certain political parties were promoting a “false narrative” against NEET to protect the commercial interests of private medical colleges, claiming that a common entrance examination would affect their revenue.

Referring to the recent protests in Delhi, Ramesh further alleged that “anti-national elements” and Naxal groups had participated in the demonstrations under the guise of student protesters. He also claimed that there were plans to burn an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a proposed protest in Coimbatore.

According to Ramesh, the BJP opposed the proposed demonstration, following which the police intervened and prevented it from taking place.

He said the BJP has urged the District Collector to deny permission for similar protests anywhere in Coimbatore, stating that such demonstrations should not inconvenience the public or disturb law and order.