Congress Stages Heated Protest in Kurukshetra Over Alleged NEET Scam; Police Deploy Water Cannons

On a sweltering afternoon in Kurukshetra, a sizable contingent of Congress workers, students and local residents assembled outside the district headquarters, brandishing placards that read “Stop the NEET scam” and “Education should be clean, not corrupted.” The mood was a mix of anger and determination, the sort of raw energy you see when people feel their future is being toyed with.

According to the protestors, an alleged manipulation of the NEET answer key had given undue advantage to a handful of private coaching centers, effectively rigging the national medical entrance exam. While the exact details remain murky, whispers of leaked papers and unauthorized access have been circulating on social media for weeks, prompting the Congress to finally take the issue to the streets.

What began as a vocal demonstration quickly turned tense when police, citing concerns over public order, moved in with a line of water‑cannon trucks. The jets of cold water sprayed across the crowd, soaking both demonstrators and on‑lookers alike. “We are not here to intimidate anyone,” a senior police officer told reporters, “but the gathering had crossed a line, and we had to act.” Yet many protestors felt the response was disproportionate, calling the water‑cannon deployment an attempt to silence dissent.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic yet oddly organized. Some activists, drenched but undeterred, continued chanting slogans while clutching soggy flyers. A few shouted, “Water can’t wash away the truth!”—a line that earned a few chuckles even among the police ranks. The exchange lasted roughly thirty minutes before the authorities declared the area secure and began dispersing the crowd.

In the aftermath, Congress leader Rahul Singh (not to be confused with the national figure) addressed the media, emphasizing that the party would “pursue every legal avenue” to investigate the alleged scam. He also hinted at possible parliamentary questions and a demand for an independent probe. “Our students deserve a fair chance,” he said, “and we won’t let a few bad actors dictate the fate of our nation’s future doctors.”

Officials from the Education Ministry have yet to issue an official statement, but insiders suggest that a preliminary inquiry is already underway. Meanwhile, the Kurukshetra police have filed a report justifying the use of water cannons, citing “preventive measures against potential violence.” Critics argue that the decision reflects a broader pattern of heavy‑handed tactics against peaceful protests.

As the sun set over the historic city, the damp placards were folded, and the echo of chants lingered in the air. Whether this incident will spur a deeper investigation into the NEET allegations—or simply fade into the next headline—remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the conversation about transparency in India’s education system is far from over.