Mumbai, July 23: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday told protesters at Jantar Mantar that their struggle was a test even bigger than the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), urging them to persevere in the fight against injustice and corruption.
Addressing the gathering, Mufti said those participating in the protest had left behind their homes and families and were enduring the scorching heat for a larger cause. “All of you have left your homes and families and are sweating in this heat. This is the biggest NEET examination for you,” she said.
Describing the protest as an “exam” that must be passed honestly, Mufti said a successful movement would send a strong message against paper leaks and other alleged injustices.
“There should be no cheating in this exam. This is the paper you have to pass. If you pass this test and succeed here, no one will dare leak the NEET examination paper in the future,” she said.
She went on to criticise what she described as failures of governance, referring to alleged corruption and crimes against women.
“No one will dare steal donations meant for Lord Ram’s temple. No one will dare allow a 12-year-old girl to be gang-raped by 32 people,” she said.
Framing the protest as a fight to uphold constitutional values, Mufti said victory for the protesters would also be a victory for India’s democracy.
“If you emerge victorious, our Constitution will win. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution will win. Our democracy will win,” she said.
She said the struggle was also for parents who sacrifice to educate their children and for students whose lives had been affected by the NEET controversy.
“It will be a victory for those parents who sacrifice their own needs to pay for your coaching and educate you. It will also be a victory for those boys and girls who sacrificed their lives because of the NEET issue,” she added.At Jantar Mantar, Mehbooba Mufti calls protesters’ struggle the ‘biggest NEET exam’
