Archive · 26 Jul 2026
WB Invokes Goonda Act for NEET Protest Violence
During a protest in Kolkata, some people started throwing shoes and water bottles at the police and journalists.
The West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, said that the government will take strict action against those who attacked the journalists.
He mentioned that the Goonda Act will be used to punish the miscreants.
Around 70 people who were not part of the protest have been identified.
Six journalists were injured, and seven FIRs have been lodged.
The protest was organized by Leftist and ultra-Left organizations under the banner of 'United Cockroach March'.
The Chief Minister visited the injured journalists in the hospital and assured them of justice.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vowed strict action against miscreants who attacked journalists during a NEET protest rally.
The protest was organized by Leftist and ultra-Left organizations demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET paper leak.
Around 70 people who were not part of the protest have been identified.
Six journalists were injured, and seven FIRs have been lodged under the Goonda Act.
The Chief Minister visited the injured journalists in the hospital and assured them of justice.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, journalists, protesters, miscreants
- What
- Attack on journalists during a NEET protest rally
- When
- July 25, 2024
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Why
- Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET paper leak
Protest Organizers
Government
Nature of Protest
Protest Organizers
Protesters claim they were exercising their democratic rights peacefully.
Government
Government alleges that miscreants among protesters escalated the situation by throwing objects and attacking journalists.
Police Response
Protest Organizers
Protesters believe the police should have intervened earlier to prevent attacks.
Government
Government states that police acted appropriately by not escalating the situation and maintaining control.
- Date of Incident
- July 25, 2024
- Location
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Number of Injured Journalists
- Six
- Number of FIRs Lodged
- Seven
- Law Applied
- Goonda Act
- Number of Identified Miscreants
- 70
- Protest Organizers
- Leftist and ultra-Left organizations
- Estimated Protesters
- 9,000
Sources
Suvendu threatens Goonda Act action against 70 over Calcutta protest violence - Telegraph India
WB invokes goonda Act for 1st time over NEET violence, CM vows stern punishment
Anti-social elements infiltrated NEET paper leak protest rally, attacked cops and journalists: CM Adhikari
Kolkata rally violence: Bengal Government invokes Goonda Act
CM says strict action to be taken against those who attacked journalists during NEET protest rally
Suvendu Adhikari says 'foreign-backed Islamist elements' behind violence at Kolkata NEET protest