Shimla, August 12
A BJP Tiranga Yatra in Chopal, organised amid the ongoing political confrontation over protests against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, has triggered a fresh controversy after a woman publicly raised slogans against Chopal MLA Balbir Verma and other BJP workers as the procession passed through the area near the bus stand.
A video circulating on social media shows the BJP MLA and party workers participating in the Tiranga Yatra when the woman is heard raising slogans including “Chor Party Zindabad” and questioning the purpose of the procession. The remarks appeared to embarrass the MLA and others accompanying the rally, while the video has subsequently become a subject of considerable discussion among political supporters on social media.
The episode comes against the backdrop of a broader confrontation in Himachal Pradesh over the NEET examination controversy. Students’ Federation of India (SFI), along with several other organisations, has been protesting against alleged examination irregularities and demanding accountability from the Union government and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protests had already led to a face-off between SFI activists and BJP workers in Shimla on July 22, when both groups came face-to-face during separate demonstrations and raised slogans against each other. Police had to intervene to separate the groups.
The Chopal episode is being viewed by political observers in the context of the BJP’s attempt to counter the narrative being built around examination irregularities and the functioning of the education system. BJP leaders, however, have maintained that their counter-protests are aimed at opposing what they describe as politically motivated agitation by the opposition.
The use of the national flag in the Chopal procession has also become part of the political debate, with critics questioning whether a Tiranga Yatra can address concerns relating to examination integrity, public education and the difficulties faced by students and their families.
The social media post carrying the video has attracted a large response. The screenshots available show more than 2,200 reactions, 381 comments and 279 shares, indicating the extent to which the incident has travelled beyond the immediate political gathering. The post has particularly drawn attention from Congress supporters and other non-BJP sections, who are sharing and commenting on the video.
One comment accompanying the video alleges that Chopal has suffered from poor infrastructure for years and questions the political leadership over roads, hospitals and educational facilities. Another commenter, however, defended the right to protest while objecting to the manner in which the procession was confronted.
The contrasting reactions underline that the incident has become more than an exchange of slogans between a protester and BJP workers. It has turned into another point of political contestation over the education system, examination reforms and the BJP’s response to protests against alleged NEET irregularities.
Also read: CM calls candlelight March in Shimla over NEET paper leak, seeks solidarity with protesting students
The controversy also puts the spotlight on Balbir Verma, who only recently accused Congress workers of bringing the “politics of anarchy” to Himachal Pradesh during the confrontation outside the BJP office in Shimla. He had then warned that the BJP would confront such protests in future.
The Chopal video now presents the BJP with a different challenge: instead of the party controlling the narrative through its counter-protest, a slogan shouted from the roadside has become the part of the rally attracting the widest attention online.
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