Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt apologises for student remarks

Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt issued an apology after Congress and other groups criticised his comments about students protesting alleged exam irregularities. In a social‑media post, Bhatt said he regretted any hurt caused by his wording and asserted that the remarks had been misrepresented. State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal demanded an unconditional apology and warned that youth organisations would stage a sit‑in outside Bhatt’s residence if he did not comply. The controversy follows a leak scandal involving the NEET paper and an alleged question‑paper leak at Uttarakhand Technical University, prompting the state government to emphasise its zero‑tolerance policy on exam fraud. BJP media in‑charge Manveer Singh Chauhan defended Bhatt, claiming his comments were taken out of context.