NEET Protest Turns Into Opposition Credit Battle as Political Unity Faces Fresh Cracks

The NEET protest movement has triggered a political battle within the Opposition, with Congress, AAP, and Samajwadi Party facing internal disagreements over the handling of the student agitation. Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo questioned political motives, stressing that the movement remains apolitical and focused on education reforms and accountability.

The movement that began as a united expression of support for students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has now transformed into a political battle over ownership of the agitation, exposing growing differences within the Opposition alliance.

A day after Congress leaders staged a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the NEET controversy, Gitanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, questioned the intentions of political parties attempting to associate themselves with the student movement.

“For us, there is no Opposition and no government. Parliament is the highest institution we respect and we want it to look at education,” Angmo said, stressing that the movement remains “apolitical”.

She stated that while everyone is welcome to support the cause, such support should come “with purity of heart”. “Whoever has come with their own agenda will fall by the wayside. We are aligned with every political party and every well-meaning individual that wants to take India to the next level,” she said.

Reacting to the Congress protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, where senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were detained, Angmo questioned the sincerity of the demonstration.

She said the protest would have appeared more genuine if political leaders had joined hands at Jantar Mantar. “The public cannot be fooled anymore. This is an awakened India. Those who are insincere will be thrown out by the young generation. Political leaders have to walk the talk; they cannot manipulate public perception anymore,” she said.

Angmo’s remarks came amid an intensifying dispute between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, both constituents of the INDIA bloc.

The Aam Aadmi Party accused the Congress of engaging in “petty politics” and attempting to take control of a student-led movement instead of presenting a united Opposition front against the central government. The party alleged that there was a political understanding between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming that the Congress protest was focused more on political visibility than strengthening the student movement.

AAP Member of Parliament Atishi, in a post on X, highlighted what she described as the government’s immediate response to the Congress protest compared with the delayed attention given to student protesters. AAP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh also questioned Congress’s intentions and criticised Rahul Gandhi’s invitation to join the Congress demonstration, alleging that it was an attempt to overshadow the student-led protest at Jantar Mantar.

The Congress, led by its senior leaders, has continued to demand accountability from the government over alleged police action against protesters.

However, Congress Member of Parliament Jothimani strongly criticised the AAP, accusing the party of weakening the broader Opposition struggle against the Bharatiya Janata Party by targeting fellow Opposition parties instead of focusing on the NEET controversy.

Tensions Rise With Samajwadi Party

The disagreements have extended beyond the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party.

Differences also emerged between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party during the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Wednesday. Sources said Samajwadi Party leaders were unhappy after Congress members disrupted proceedings when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla invited Akhilesh Yadav to address the House.

Before leaving the House, Akhilesh Yadav reportedly told Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, “We support you. Why did you not let us speak?”

The incident intensified speculation over increasing discomfort within the INDIA bloc as Opposition parties attempt to coordinate their campaign against the government over the NEET controversy.

Student Movement Faces Political Messaging Challenge

The developments have highlighted a growing gap between the organisers of the NEET protests and political parties attempting to associate themselves with the movement.

While Opposition parties have targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government over alleged failures in examination management and governance, the Wangchuk camp has repeatedly maintained that the movement is not aimed at political advantage.

Angmo’s statement reinforced that position, making it clear that support from all sections is welcome, but only when it remains free from partisan interests.

As allegations of political opportunism continue between Opposition allies and against the ruling party, the focus of the NEET controversy risks shifting from students’ demands for accountability and examination reforms to a political contest over who receives credit for leading the movement.