Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai has written to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in the alleged use of force by police against protesting students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.Seeking an independent inquiry into the incident, Rai alleged that instead of engaging in dialogue with the protesters, the Centre resorted to “repressive measures”, including water cannons, lathicharge and tear gas.“A probe into allegations that some personnel involved in crowd control were without name badges and that unidentified persons in plain clothes were seen participating is a need of the hour,” Rai stated in his letter.Linking the protest to concerns over the alleged NEET paper leak, complaints regarding the examination system and demands related to re-NEET, Rai claimed that these issues had eroded the confidence of students and youth across the country.“Instead of addressing their concerns through dialogue, govt had responded with force,” he said urging the President to ensure protection of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under Article 19.He also demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged use of force, an investigation into the alleged involvement of unidentified personnel, a transparent probe into complaints related to NEET and other central examinations, and action against those found responsible.Rai also called for the removal of the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging accountability for the examination-related irregularities.
