Mumbai Police Detain 150 Amid Anti-NEET Protests

Mumbai's anti-NEET protests entered their fourth consecutive day on Thursday, with over 150 demonstrators detained across the city. The protests, which are part of a larger agitation against the NEET paper leak, saw a sharp dip in turnout among young student protesters following a crackdown by law enforcement.

The Mumbai Police issued prohibitory orders under Section 37 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, which took effect on Thursday, leading to a sense of fear among protesters. Many students who had attended the prior three days of demonstrations chose not to participate on Thursday, citing concerns about legal repercussions.

Despite the dip in student turnout, political organisations attempted to anchor the momentum of the protests. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) organised a public signature campaign at Shivaji Park, while the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA) spearheaded a state-wide bandh to protest an alleged police lathi-charge on student demonstrators in New Delhi.

The VBA staged demonstrations across key pockets of Mumbai, including Fort, Chunabhatti, Bhandup, and Powai. In Bhandup, party office-bearer Snehal Soni led a march from Tembhipada to the railway station, alleging that police visited party workers' homes overnight to deter participation.

Several political figures were among those rounded up during the sweeps, including Sujat Ambedkar, son of VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, who was briefly detained alongside several women protesters at Chunabhatti for participating in an unlawful assembly.

The police booked 55 people under three FIRs in connection with the protests, with 47 booked under two separate cases linked to the state-wide bandh call. The protests are expected to continue, with many students and political organisations vowing to keep up the momentum.

The anti-NEET protests have been ongoing for several days, with students and political organisations demanding action against those responsible for the paper leak. The protests have seen a mix of peaceful demonstrations and clashes with police, with many students expressing frustration and anger over the issue.

The Mumbai Police have been criticized for their handling of the protests, with many accusing them of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. The police have denied these allegations, saying that they are taking necessary measures to maintain law and order in the city.

The protests are part of a larger agitation against the NEET paper leak, which has sparked widespread outrage and anger across the country. Many students and parents have expressed concerns about the fairness and transparency of the exam, and are demanding action against those responsible for the leak.

In conclusion, the anti-NEET protests in Mumbai have entered their fourth consecutive day, with over 150 demonstrators detained and 55 booked under three FIRs. The protests are expected to continue, with many students and political organisations vowing to keep up the momentum and demand action against those responsible for the paper leak.

The situation highlights the need for the government to take immediate action to address the concerns of students and parents, and to ensure that the exam is conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The use of force by the police against peaceful demonstrators is also a cause for concern, and highlights the need for the authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest.

Overall, the anti-NEET protests in Mumbai are a reflection of the widespread anger and frustration among students and parents over the paper leak, and the need for the government to take immediate action to address their concerns.