NEET protest sparks Congress-BJP face-off at Mysuru college

A programme organised by Congress workers at Maharani’s Government PU College on Lakshmi Vilas Road near Jagan Mohan Palace in Mysuru on Wednesday to condole the deaths of students who allegedly committed suicides following the alleged NEET-UG paper leak triggered disapproval from BJP workers, leading to tense scenes outside the college campus.

The Congress programme, reportedly organised by Chamaraja MLA K. Harish Gowda, highlighted the deaths of students allegedly driven to suicide following the NEET controversy.

On learning about the programme, a group of BJP workers led by former MLA and Mysuru City BJP President L. Nagendra rushed to the college and questioned the authorities for permitting the programme of a political party on the college campus.

As Congress workers raised slogans over the alleged NEET paper leak, BJP workers responded with counter-slogans, leading to a heated confrontation. Police personnel rushed to the spot even as the BJP leaders questioned the college authorities over granting permission for the programme.

As sloganeering intensified, Mr. Harish Gowda and Mr. Nagendra locked horns over the conduct of the programme by the Congress party in college campus and the participation of students, as leaders of both parties traded allegations of exploiting the issue for political mileage.

Later, speaking to reporters, Mr. Nagendra alleged that the Congress was using students for political gains.

“How could the Department permit students to participate in a programme organised by a political party? Students should not be instigated to take part in political programmes,” he said.

Nagendra further alleged that the MLA had written to the Deputy Director of the Pre-University Department asking government colleges to send students for the programme.

“Is this a Congress programme? Instead of dragging students, the government should come up with constructive measures to address the concerns surrounding NEET,” he said.

He also alleged that students from other government colleges had been brought to participate in the programme.