A protest over the NEET paper leak issue, in Kolkata, West Bengal. (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government on Tuesday announced that it would not take any coercive action against students who participated in protests over the NEET (UG) paper leak issue.However, the BJP-led state government clarified that the relief would not apply to individuals with criminal antecedents. The directions are in line with the Supreme Court’s interim order earlier in the day, which granted protection from coercive action to protesters. However, the court allowed the Centre and state governments to proceed against protesters with criminal records.According to an official press release, one case had been registered in connection with the NEET (UG) paper leak issue and 16 people had been arrested as of 6 pm on July 26.Earlier, two other BJP-led states, Bihar and Assam, announced the withdrawal of cases and legal proceedings against all protesters involved in demonstrations over the alleged NEET (UG) examination irregularities.In Maharashtra, another BJP-led state, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the state home department to issue orders for the withdrawal of cases registered against students who participated in the protests. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical outfit that led the main protests in Delhi, has warned of resuming its agitation if cases against all protesters are not withdrawn. The demand was among the conditions accepted by the Centre, following which the CJP called off its indefinite sit-in on July 25.The CJP had been protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since June 21.
