Pune: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the police action during the students’ protests in New Delhi were “deeply distressing” and that such crackdowns “have no place in democracy”.Urging govt to engage with protesters through dialogue rather than confrontation, Hazare in his letter backed the CJP and various opposition parties’ demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak case. He said resignation of a minister would not weaken govt, but send a strong message to other ministers about accountability and improve governance.Hazare said it was wrong to shift the blame for irregularities or scams solely onto lower-level officials, while govt claims credit for positive outcomes. “The ultimate responsibility towards public lies with those occupying senior positions,” the activist wrote, stating that reports of NEET paper leaks had also surfaced in 2024 and around 22 students have reportedly died by suicide in 2026 over the same issue.“Youths across the country are experiencing deep anxiety and frustration over examination paper leaks, delays in recruitment processes, unemployment and several other issues. This discontent should not be viewed merely as a law-and-order issue, but as an expression of the people’s pain and expectations,” he said.“In a democracy, dialogue is always superior. Those participating in protests are also citizens of this country. Their voices should not be viewed merely as those of the opposition,” Hazare said, adding that listening to them patiently, building trust, and resolving issues through constructive dialogue were the true tests of a democratic system.“Our nation is the inheritor of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha and the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of India. Differences of opinion are natural. But the differences should be resolved through dialogue, sensitivity and mutual respect. It is expected that govt exercises restraint, tolerance, and compassion” he said.Hazare also criticised the govt’s ways of handling activist Sonam Wangchuk’s protest. He wrote that Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the protest site without any meaningful dialogue, despite the protesters demonstrating peacefully for 25 days.“Before taking such action, govt did not engage in any meaningful dialogue with him. Despite his hunger strike continuing in Delhi for several days, no representative of govt or even a secretary-level official visited the protesters to initiate discussions. This cannot be considered consistent with the spirit of democracy,” he said.The 2011 Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement in favour of a stronger Lokpal law was among the largest public mobilisations seen in the national capital.
