No widespread injuries: Kiren Rijiju rejects claim of excess force at NEET protest

Kiren Rijiju spoke to India Today TV a day after Parliament was adjourned sine die after a largely disrupted Monsoon Session, during which the government and Opposition remained locked in confrontation over several issues, including the police crackdown on students during the July 20 NEET paper leak agitation and the Ram Temple donations theft.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has rejected allegations of excessive force during the NEET protest, saying there were no widespread injuries among protesters.Rijiju's remarks came amid Opposition demands for a discussion in Parliament over the police action against students protesting the NEET paper leak. The Opposition has alleged that excessive force, including the use of pellet guns, was used against protesters.“There were no widespread injuries,” Rijiju said, rejecting the charge of excessive force. The minister said the government was ready to discuss the issue in Parliament and respond to concerns raised by the Opposition. He has also said Home Minister Amit Shah is prepared to give a detailed reply on the student protests, provided the Opposition allows Parliament to function. The Opposition has been demanding an explanation from the government over the police action during the July 20 protest and has sought Shah's statement in Parliament.Rijiju's comments come as the government and Opposition remain locked in a standoff over the handling of the NEET protests, with the government insisting it is ready for a debate. - EndsPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 14:49 IST