Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the police action against students participating in the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march, accusing the government of using force to suppress those raising concerns over alleged examination irregularities.
Describing PM Modi as "the most anti-youth Prime Minister in India's history", the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha alleged that the government has continued to protect Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan despite repeated controversies surrounding examination paper leaks.
In a video message, Gandhi said Prime Minister Modi was unwilling to seek the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan despite what he described as the minister's failure to address the issue.
Gandhi further claimed that 152 examination paper leaks had impacted nearly 7.5 crore students, alleging that no one responsible for the irregularities had been held accountable.
Referring to the police action during Monday's protest, he said students raising legitimate concerns about the education system were met with baton charges and detention instead of receiving answers from the government.
He alleged that while those responsible for examination paper leaks remained free, students protesting against the issue were detained and subjected to police action. Gandhi also accused the government of failing the country's youth and acting against their interests.
His remarks came on a day when the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march witnessed clashes between protesters and Delhi Police after participants attempted to march towards Parliament.
The protest, organised by the two-month-old outfit over alleged NEET-UG irregularities and broader examination reforms, was halted near Parliament Street after demonstrators refused to disperse despite police action. Several protesters alleged that force was used during the confrontation.
Earlier in the day, CJP representatives met Union Health Minister JP Nadda and submitted a memorandum demanding the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak controversy.
