Vijayawada: The ongoing protests surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) took a political turn in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan claimed the student-led agitation has been co-opted by “divisive forces,” drawing immediate and fierce condemnation from the state’s CPI(M) leadership.
In a detailed statement released on social media, the Deputy Chief Minister argued that what began as a genuine movement addressing education-related grievances has strayed far from its original purpose.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s Allegations
Pawan Kalyan alleged that the protests have been infiltrated by groups pursuing a broader, unrelated political agenda. According to his statement, the hijacked agitation has featured:
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Political Demands: Calls for the restoration of Article 370, which are entirely unrelated to the NEET exams.
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Targeted Rhetoric: Insulting remarks directed at Lord Rama, the Hindu faith, the Brahmin community, and Bharat Mata.
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Violence: Incidents of stone-pelting directed at security personnel.
“Democracy welcomes peaceful protest and dissent,” Kalyan stated, asserting that there is no place for violence, vandalism, religious insults, or slogans that challenge the sovereignty of the country. He urged citizens to carefully differentiate between authentic public movements and those exploited by anti-national elements.
Acknowledging Youth Frustration
Despite his strong condemnation of the protest’s current trajectory, the Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged the underlying anxieties of India’s youth. He noted that student frustration stems not only from exam irregularities but also from broader concerns regarding unemployment and future opportunities.
However, he struck an optimistic tone regarding the country’s economic trajectory:
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Economic Resilience: He highlighted India’s fiscal discipline, infrastructure expansion, and ability to attract global investments despite worldwide economic challenges.
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Education Reform: He praised the National Education Policy (NEP) as a “civilisational correction.” He stated that the NEP is designed to replace the colonial-era Macaulay education system with a modern framework focused on critical thinking, research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Opposition Backlash: CPI(M) Demands Apology
Opposition backlash: CPI(M) demands apology
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks were met with swift backlash from the political opposition. The CPI(M) Andhra Pradesh State Committee issued a strong condemnation, demanding that Pawan Kalyan unconditionally apologize and withdraw his comments.
The Left party argued that Kalyan had lost the moral authority to criticize the protesting students. The CPI(M) leadership accused him of remaining deliberately silent on the core issue: the alleged NEET examination paper leak. They highlighted that the paper leak has caused severe distress among students and their families, reportedly driving some aspirants to suicide, and stated that this should remain the primary focus of the government’s attention.
