‘Responsibility of govt & opposition to protect children’s future’: Centre urges dialogue as protests intensify
NEW DELHI: A political showdown over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against student protesters intensified on Wednesday, with Parliament witnessing repeated disruptions, the Opposition staging a ‘Black Day’ protest, Rahul Gandhi renewing his attack on the Centre and activist Sonam Wangchuk extending his indefinite hunger strike.The Centre maintained that it was ready for a discussion on the issue in Parliament, but the opposition remained firm on its demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, Union minister JP Nadda said the government would investigate his claims of around 150 paper leaks and urged the opposition to stop ‘changing the goalpost’ and participate in a parliamentary debate to find a lasting solution.Meanwhile, the Delhi high court sought responses over allegations of police brutality during the students’ protest, while the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued its agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.Here are the top developments throughout the day:
Opposition stages ‘Black Day’ protest in Parliament
Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with INDIA bloc MPs, arrived in Parliament dressed in black to mark a ‘Black Day’ over the alleged NEET irregularities and the police action against protesting students. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, JMM MP Mahua Maji and several other opposition leaders gathered at Makar Dwar, raising slogans demanding justice for students and the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Government offers Parliament discussion; opposition refuses without Pradhan’s resignation
Amid escalating protests, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was ready to debate the NEET issue in Parliament.”The government is ready to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue,” Rijiju said, adding that an all-party meeting had been proposed to finalise the date, rule and duration of the debate. “There should be a constructive discussion for the future of the youth of this country,” he said.However, the opposition maintained that no discussion could take place unless Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.In the Rajya Sabha, Kharge reiterated that the minister must step down before any debate begins, while insisting on a discussion under Rule 267.Leader of the House JP Nadda accused the INDIA bloc of displaying ‘irresponsible behaviour’ and damaging Parliament’s dignity.
Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre, demands Pradhan’s resignation
Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of destroying India’s education system and backed students’ demands in full.He claimed the country’s education system had become ‘a rigged system’ and alleged that there had been 152 paper leaks in the last decade without a single conviction.”The thing that is very clear to everybody is that our education system, which was known to be one of the best education systems in the world, is today a rigged system,” he said. He alleged that students were being forced to repeatedly prepare for examinations because of leaks.”What we do know is that 152 paper leaks have taken place over the last decade. So, approximately one a month.”Rahul also criticised police action against protesters.”The question is, why is this happening to our students? What exactly have our students done?… They’re protesting peacefully.”Calling students’ demands ‘100 per cent legitimate’, he said: “Dharmendra Pradhan, who has failed as an education minister and is known to be corrupt, should be relieved of his duties.”
Supreme Court declines urgent hearing
The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a petition alleging police brutality during Monday’s protest.When the petitioner’s counsel referred to video evidence, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked: “We are not interested in videos, we don’t have time to watch.”The petition concerns police action during the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, where protesters alleged excessive force by security personnel.
Delhi high court seeks replies, orders CCTV footage preserved
The Delhi high court sought responses from the Centre, Delhi Police and the National Human Rights Commission on petitions alleging excessive force during the July 20 protest.A bench headed by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage, body camera recordings and all relevant electronic records.The court listed the matter for September 11.Petitioners alleged that police and the Rapid Action Force used disproportionate force against peaceful protesters, including women and children.Senior advocate N Hariharan claimed more than 90 students were injured and sought a judicial inquiry and an independent SIT probe.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju argued that the petitions relied on social media posts and maintained that protesters had turned violent, resulting in injuries to police personnel and damage to government vehicles.
CJP protests continue; Centre deploys more CRPF companies
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the government’s decision to deploy 20 additional CRPF companies in Delhi.”What is the government planning to do? Was the students’ blood spilled by the Delhi Police and RAF on 20 July not enough?” he posted on X.The additional CRPF companies are being airlifted from West Bengal to strengthen security amid the ongoing protests and Parliament session. The CJP claimed thousands continued to gather at Jantar Mantar as the agitation entered its second month.The organisation reiterated that its protest would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.Dipke also clarified that the CJP had not called for protests anywhere other than Jantar Mantar and warned against “goons” attempting to create disturbances elsewhere.
CJP says it is ready for talks
The CJP said it was open to discussions with the government but insisted any talks must take place at Jantar Mantar rather than at a minister’s residence.Chief spokesperson Saurav Das said police had conveyed that Union minister JP Nadda wanted to meet them.”We refused to go to anyone’s house or office. The people’s court is here,” he said.
Opposition MPs blocked from meeting Sonam Wangchuk
A delegation of opposition MPs was stopped by police from meeting activist Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.The MPs handed over a letter, signed by around 55 lawmakers, to Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo urging him to end his fast. AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Centre of ‘tyranny’, alleging that Union ministers were allowed to meet Wangchuk while opposition MPs were denied access.“For the first time in history, you’ve heard that police are preventing people from meeting a hospitalized patient. We’ve come to meet Sonam Wangchuk, who is hospitalized, and why? 55 five MPs have signed this letter and after signing it, we’ve brought a letter requesting you to break his hunger strike. Do these people want to kill Sonam Wangchuk? This letter states that you should break your fast. Considering your health and the importance of your life, you should not continue your fast. Sonam Wangchuk had said that if the country’s MPs reassure us, he can break his fast. We’re not allowed to deliver this letter, not allowed to meet him… JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him and so many MPs from the opposition have come yet they will not let them meet him,” he said.
Wangchuk sets conditions for ending hunger strike
Wangchuk, who has completed 25 days of his indefinite fast, said he would end it only if the government assured that no student protester would face legal action.In a letter to Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, he thanked them for visiting him but sought an unequivocal assurance.”I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action.” He said if such an assurance was given, he would end his fast immediately.His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, later said Wangchuk had decided to continue the fast until such assurances were received.“Sonam Wangchuk has decided to break his fast after receiving assurances and letters from these MPs. But he also needs assurances from the Government of India that no injustice will be done to the protesters. He also needs assurances from the government that they won’t be physically assaulted tonight. Sonam has written this letter to Jitendra ji and Nadda ji, saying that he needs assurances that nothing wrong will be done to the children. No FIR will be filed against them, there will be no undue force against them… We are waiting for another assurance from the Government of India. Sonam has also tweeted today and has also written a letter to them that he wants assurance about the children because if we are doing this entire movement for the children and their future, then it is our responsibility not to cause any harm to them. Sonam has decided to extend his hunger strike indefinitely,” she said.
Wangchuk releases fresh video message
In a video message from hospital, Wangchuk said he had lost around 11 kilograms during his hunger strike but remained determined.He praised students for maintaining restraint despite police action.”I want to salute all the students who conducted themselves with remarkable restraint.”He reiterated that he wanted to end the fast but would do so only after receiving assurances that students would not face police action, FIRs or legal harassment. “If I receive that assurance soon… I will end my hunger strike today itself. But if no such assurance is given, then unfortunately I will have to continue my fast.”
Nadda challenges Rahul’s paper leak claims, urges Parliament debate
JP Nadda hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his claim that around 150 paper leaks had taken place in the country, saying the matter would be investigated and the government would place the facts before the nation.Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s press conference, Nadda said, “Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi gave a presentation and discussed approximately 150 paper leaks. This is a matter of investigation, and the government, being a responsible government, will undoubtedly investigate and present the truth to the public and the nation.” Reiterating the Centre’s stand, Nadda said the government was ready for a discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak in Parliament under any format and for any duration decided by the Opposition.”We have wanted this issue to be discussed in Parliament. Whether it is a short-duration discussion or a long-duration discussion, you decide how much time you want. The government is ready for discussion, and the Opposition should not keep changing the goalpost,” he said.Calling Parliament the appropriate forum to address the issue, Nadda urged all parties to work together for a long-term solution.”Children are ours, yours, and the future of the country. It is the responsibility of both the government and the Opposition to protect their future. We should discuss every aspect and come up with a concrete policy,” he said. Go to Source
