Supreme Court of India rejects petition challenging NEET protest crackdown

New Delhi/IBNS-CMEDIA: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to urgently list a petition alleging police excesses during the crackdown on protesters who were marching towards Parliament against the government over the NEET issue on June 20, media reports said.

The matter was mentioned by a lawyer before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the beginning of the day’s proceedings.

Supreme Court declines urgent hearing

When the petitioner sought suo motu proceedings, CJI Kant told the lawyer, as quoted by Hindustan Times, “Don’t waste our time, and don’t waste your time.”

Though the counsel argued that the protests were over an issue concerning lakhs of students, the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan, responded, “Thank you very much.”

Bench rejects plea to consider videos

The counsel made another attempt to persuade the court by referring to videos purportedly showing police action against the protesters.

The bench, however, replied sharply, saying, “We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch.”

Comes a day after Delhi High Court’s refusal

The Supreme Court’s refusal came a day after Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya declined to urgently hear a similar plea, asking the petitioner not to drag the court into the matter.

Parliament March Triggers Violence

Dramatic scenes unfolded during the Parliament march on the streets of Delhi on Monday as police lathi-charged thousands of protesters, leaving several demonstrators injured.

Police also fired tear gas shells, barricaded roads and detained protesters as a massive confrontation erupted in one of the most significant anti-government protests in recent years.

According to reports, several police personnel were also injured during the clashes, which disrupted normal life across the city.

Why Are They Protesting?

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical campaign, began its sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar nearly a month ago demanding Pradhan’s resignation over paper-leak, besides a call for an educational reform.

The movement gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 in support of the protesters.

The agitation intensified last week after Wangchuk was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar by police and admitted to a hospital.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had launched his own hunger strike following Wangchuk’s removal, called off his fast on Monday after a request from the parent of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide.