Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns following protests by Indian students. Several Bollywood celebrities came out in support of students, famous lyricist Manoj Muntahir He also expressed his support to students and demanded justice in the NEET paper leak incident. However, he questioned the direction and representativeness of the protests. Speaking exclusively to us, he called for systemic change but also mentioned what he found wrong with the student protests.
Manoj Muntashir expresses reservations over students’ agitation over NEET leaks
“Students should be heard. How can there be any other opinion on this? Whatever they say, if even one student loses his life, then the entire system should be held responsible. And we see that today, the Prime Minister’s post has also come,” noted lyricist Dharmendra Pradhan said before resigning.“He set up the SIT. It is written in the Prime Minister’s post that he will punish every criminal responsible for the leakage of NEET documents,” he added.He then shared what he found wrong with the movement, saying: “Meanwhile, what is happening at Jantar Mantar? What is this? Do we want to see this country become Bangladesh? Do we want to see us become Nepal? The way young people are being misled, the young people of this country deserve better representation.”
Manoj Muntashir said he was not against the student movement; he disagreed with the statement
“The problem there, the NEET problem is a very big one,” he said, before asking, “Have we discussed this?”“We should listen 100% to the students. I believe the outcome of this movement will be positive. Their pain, their anguish will be conveyed to our prime minister, will be conveyed to the government. And it is being conveyed. I can see it being conveyed. That’s it,” he added.“This is not the first time a document leak has occurred. This had happened earlier. So there is something wrong with the system. This problem does not lie with the Minister and the Government. This has been the case with previous governments, and it is the same with this government. So there is a problem. This is a rotten system. Please fix the system,” he clarified.Elaborating further on his views, he said, “If anyone says someone should stand up and speak for the system, that person is wrong. There is no speaking for the system. I stand with the students here, completely.”“But I don’t agree with those traitors. I don’t agree with those who say India is broken,” he concluded.