‘Why Wait So Long?’ E BJP Tamil Nadu Chief Annamalai Urges Govt To Engage With Protesters

Published 22 July 2026 · politics

‘Why Wait So Long?’ E BJP Tamil Nadu Chief Annamalai Urges Govt To Engage With Protesters Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 16:58 IST

‘Why Wait So Long?’ E BJP Tamil Nadu Chief Annamalai Urges Govt To Engage With Protesters Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 16:58 IST Calling protest a "fundamental right in a democracy", the former Tamil Nadu BJP chief questioned the government's handling of the agitation. Rapid Read Annamalai said the repeated leaks had forced students to repeatedly undergo the examination process, despite the system that was meant to ensure fairness failing them. NEET Protest: Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, who recently parted ways with the saffron party, on Wednesday targeted the Central government and questioned over the delay in initiating talks with protesters demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, asking why meaningful engagement came only after the agitation had escalated. In a long post on X, the former BJP leader said that he has consistently supported the Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), arguing that it brought uniformity in admissions and offered students from underprivileged backgrounds a fair opportunity to pursue medical education. However, he said repeated question paper leaks had severely undermined confidence in the examination system. Annamalai said the repeated leaks had forced students to repeatedly undergo the examination process, despite the system that was meant to ensure fairness failing them. Over the past many years, I have taken a personal stand in support of the NEET examination, arguing that it brought uniformity in student selection across the country and gave students from underprivileged backgrounds a real shot at pursuing their dream of medical education.

In…— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 22, 2026 “In the last 5 years, the NEET UG question paper has leaked thrice. Imagine the amount of pressure that it puts on students, who had to go through the examination process yet another time when the system that was supposed to bring in uniformity was failing. Yet there was no accountability, and I believe strongly that it was that moment that brought in a shift in the minds of the students to take to the streets to cry their hearts out," he said. Calling protest a “fundamental right in a democracy", the former Tamil Nadu BJP chief questioned the government’s handling of the agitation. “The pertinent question, however, is this: why did the BJP-led Central Government take so long to initiate a dialogue with the protesters? Why was meaningful engagement delayed until the protest had escalated to a flashpoint? What kept you waiting?" he asked. Additionally, he further cautioned the protest leaders against allowing the movement to be diverted from its original objective. He said prolonged protests often attract individuals with vested interests who attempt to hijack the movement by introducing unrelated issues or advancing their own agenda. “If you remain silent and let these people with vested interests further their agenda, then you are deviating from your core objectives. Please do not let it happen," he said. Urging the Centre to act decisively, Annamalai called for transparent communication and meaningful engagement with the students.