Telangana minister condemns lathi charge of students and youth marching to parliament

Cockroach Janta Party supporters lathi-charged by police during march to Parliament in New Delhi on Monday | Photo credit: SHUBHOMOY SIKDAR

Telangana and BC Social Affairs Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday (July 20, 2026) condemned the police lathi-charge of students and youth groups marching to Parliament in Delhi in protest following a call by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Mr. Prabhakar called the use of force undemocratic and unfortunate.

In a statement, he said the students had been peacefully expressing concerns about their future and claimed the center had responded with force instead of addressing their demands. He said irregularities in the NEET examination had caused anxiety among millions of students and their families.

Mr. Prabhakar demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue and demanded the withdrawal of cases against the protesting students. He also called for action against those responsible for the lathi charge and measures to ensure transparency in the NEET examination.

Published – 20 Jul 2026 17:16 IST