Mysuru: Tense scenes prevailed outside Maharani’s Government Pre-University College on Lakshmi Vilas Road near Jagan Mohan Palace on Wednesday after a Congress programme to condole the deaths of students allegedly linked to the NEET-UG controversy drew objections from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers.
The programme, organised by local Congress leaders, led to a confrontation between workers of the two political parties, prompting police intervention to prevent the situation from escalating.
Congress organises condolence programme
The event was reportedly organised by Chamaraja MLA K. Harish Gowda to pay tribute to students who allegedly died by suicide following the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG question paper leak.
Congress leaders used the programme to highlight concerns over the examination controversy and the impact it had allegedly had on students and their families.
Party workers also raised slogans demanding accountability over the alleged irregularities in the examination process.
BJP objects to political event on college campus
On learning about the programme, a group of BJP workers, led by former MLA and Mysuru City BJP President L. Nagendra, reached the college campus and questioned the authorities for allowing a political programme to be conducted within an educational institution.
The BJP leaders objected to the participation of students and sought an explanation from college officials regarding the permission granted for the event.
As Congress workers continued raising slogans over the alleged NEET issue, BJP workers responded with counter-slogans, leading to a tense face-off between the two groups.
Police intervene as confrontation intensifies
With the exchange of slogans becoming increasingly heated, police personnel rushed to the college to prevent any untoward incident.
A verbal confrontation also took place between K. Harish Gowda and L. Nagendra, with both leaders accusing each other’s parties of attempting to politicise the issue.
Police remained deployed at the venue until the situation was brought under control.
No reports of violence or arrests were reported during the incident.
BJP alleges misuse of students
Later, addressing reporters, L. Nagendra alleged that the Congress was attempting to use students for political purposes.
He questioned how the education authorities had permitted students to participate in a programme organised by a political party and argued that educational institutions should remain free from political activities.
Nagendra also alleged that a letter had been written by the MLA to the Deputy Director of the Pre-University Department requesting government colleges to send students for the programme.
He further claimed that students from other government colleges had been brought to attend the event.
Calls for constructive solutions
The BJP leader maintained that instead of organising political programmes, the government should focus on addressing concerns surrounding the NEET examination through constructive measures.
Congress leaders, meanwhile, defended the programme, stating that it was intended to express solidarity with students and draw attention to issues affecting their future.
The allegations and counter-allegations between the two parties have further intensified the political debate over the alleged NEET-UG controversy in Karnataka.
Conclusion
The confrontation at Maharani’s Government PU College underscores the growing political tensions surrounding the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. While Congress described the programme as a tribute to affected students, the BJP questioned the appropriateness of conducting a political event on a college campus and involving students in it.