Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday condemned the police action against protesters in Delhi over allegations of a NEET paper leak, calling it "unacceptable" and extending her party’s support to the Opposition’s sit-in protest near the Prime Minister’s residence. Her remarks came as opposition leaders intensified their criticism of the Centre’s handling of student concerns linked to the medical entrance examination.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders staged a dharna near the Prime Minister’s residence, demanding accountability over the alleged irregularities in NEET and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the police action against protesting students. In a post on social media, Banerjee said, "The police atrocities on our youth in Delhi are unacceptable. Shame on the Union government. The All India Trinamool Congress fully supports the sit-down protest by the Opposition today near Akbar Road. Our full solidarity."

The TMC chief’s comments came amid a wider political dispute over allegations related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to address concerns raised by students and demanded stronger action over alleged examination irregularities. Banerjee also made allegations regarding incidents in Kolkata, claiming that BJP workers disrupted preparations for the TMC’s Martyrs’ Day programme. She alleged that groups arrived on motorcycles, damaged signage, vandalised the stage and cut microphone wires during preparations for the event.

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These claims have not been independently verified. "There were also police atrocities in Kolkata all through last night. BJP goons did all they could to disrupt preparations for our Martyrs' Day programme," Banerjee said in her social media post. She alleged that several young people were threatened and injured during the incidents. The TMC leader said the Martyrs’ Day programme proceeded despite the alleged disruptions, with party workers from across West Bengal participating.

She also accused the BJP of adopting a "dictatorial attitude" and said her party would continue its political fight beyond the state. "We pledge to unitedly fight the atrocities and dictatorial attitude of the BJP. We will take our fight from Bengal to India. United we stand," Banerjee said. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also criticised the treatment of Rahul Gandhi during the Opposition protest. In a social media post, the Diamond Harbour MP said that the Opposition plays an important constitutional role in a parliamentary democracy.

"In a parliamentary democracy, the Opposition is not an adversary of the State but an indispensable constitutional institution. Respect for constitutional offices cannot be selective, nor can accountability be met with intimidation," Abhishek Banerjee said. The political confrontation over NEET allegations is expected to continue as Opposition parties seek further discussion and action from the government. The Centre has maintained that it is committed to protecting students’ interests and ensuring transparency in the examination system, while political parties continue to debate responsibility and accountability.

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