'Why go to protest when I could study and improve my score?': NEET re-test topper on ignoring the negativity

Speaking to NDTV, Panshul Bansal, who secured All India Rank 2 with a 99.9999 percentile in the re-examination, said he was initially disappointed by the paper leak but quickly realised it was an opportunity to improve his marks.

"I thought, why should I go to the protest? Instead, I could be studying at home and improving my skills and improving my score," Bansal told the English broadcaster.

A student of KR Mangalam World School, Bansal added, "Initially, I had a feeling of despair and sadness. But after one or two hours, I looked at it from a positive perspective and got motivated and determined to do better this time."

Bansal, who secured 706 in the original examination before improving the score to 715 in the re-test, said he remained committed to his usual study routine without making any changes.

"I did not change anything in my schedule. I simply followed the same routine. I just felt that in the last one-and-a-half months I had to give everything I could and leave the rest to God," he told NDTV.

"I thought, why should I bring negativity into the picture? I should forget everything and focus on my main goal. Whatever happens will be for the good. Once the paper is over, the stress and anxiety will also end," the topper added.

Bansal, however, refrained from commenting on the ongoing protests that have demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Parliament March Triggers Violence

Dramatic scenes unfolded during the Parliament march on the streets of Delhi on Monday as police lathi-charged thousands of protesters, leaving several demonstrators injured.

Police also fired tear gas shells, barricaded roads and detained protesters as a massive confrontation erupted in one of the most significant anti-government protests in recent years.

According to reports, several police personnel were also injured during the clashes, which disrupted normal life across the city.

Why Are They Protesting?

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical campaign, began its sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar nearly a month ago demanding Pradhan's resignation over paper-leak, besides a call for an educational reform.

The movement gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 in support of the protesters.

The agitation intensified last week after Wangchuk was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar by police and admitted to a hospital.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had launched his own hunger strike following Wangchuk's removal, called off his fast on Monday after a request from the parent of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide.

What Are the Current Demands?

The CJP has put forward three key demands:

• Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Release of Sonam Wangchuk.
• Compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak issue.