BJP's Bidhuri calls Jantar Mantar protesters 'puncture repairers', draws communal dog-whistle charge

Former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri has sparked a fresh controversy after claiming that "puncture banane wale" (puncture repairers) and "tala banane wale" (locksmiths) outnumbered genuine students at the NEET paper-leak protest at Jantar Mantar, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups.

Speaking at a "Gen Z Summit" event on August 2, Bidhuri said: "Wahan students se zyada puncture banane wale, tala banane wale the" (There were more puncture repairers and locksmiths than students there). The remarks were widely circulated on social media and reported by multiple national outlets including India Today, Deccan Herald, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Times Now, ABP Live, and Outlook India.

What we can verify

The protest: Students under the banner of CJP and other organisations gathered at Jantar Mantar from late July through early August 2026, demanding a fair probe into the NEET-UG paper leak, withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Supreme Court had earlier directed that no coercive action be taken against student protesters.

Bidhuri's remarks: Multiple independent outlets confirm Bidhuri used the phrases "puncture banane wale" and "tala banane wale" while addressing the Gen Z Summit. Video clips of the speech were shared by News Pinch (YouTube: @TheNewsPinch) and other channels on August 5.

Communal coding: Alt News, in a fact-check published August 5, identified the terms as "communal dog whistles" — "puncture repairer" and "locksmith" are stereotypical occupations associated with Muslim communities in North Indian political discourse. Alt News noted Bidhuri added that these people were "brought in from Jafrabad, Saharanpur," both Muslim-majority areas.

Political reaction: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanded strict action against Bidhuri and called for his exclusion from the party. Congress and AAP leaders also condemned the remarks as hate speech targeting a religious community.

Bidhuri's history: This is not Bidhuri's first controversy. In September 2023, he used a communal slur against BSP MP Danish Ali in Lok Sabha, drawing censure from the Speaker and a show-cause notice from the BJP. He was later given a party post in Rajasthan ahead of the assembly elections.

What remains unverified

• The exact number of protesters at Jantar Mantar on any given day — police have not released an official headcount.
• Whether individuals from Jafrabad or Saharanpur were specifically transported to the protest site — no independent verification of this claim exists.
• The full context of the Gen Z Summit event — the organiser and attendee list have not been publicly disclosed.

Why it matters

The Jantar Mantar protest brought together students from across North India, many affiliated with CJP, which has positioned itself as a youth-led anti-corruption movement. Bidhuri's characterisation of protesters by occupation — using terms widely understood as religious markers — fits a pattern where student-led dissent is delegitimised by questioning the protesters' authenticity and background rather than engaging with their demands.

The NEET paper-leak case remains under investigation by the CBI. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter again in the coming weeks.