After PM Modi promised strict action on the paper leak, Jairam Ramesh accused him of protecting Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Ramesh also shared an old video of the PM terming his promises as ‘jumla’. The opposition is adamant on Pradhan’s resignation.
New Delhi [भारत]July 24 (ANI): After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance of strict action against the exam paper leak, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has accused the PM of shielding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whose resignation is being demanded by the students protesting at Jantar Mantar. He further said that PM Modi has a “poor track record of giving statements” on the paper leak issue.
In support of his claim, Ramesh shared a compiled video, which shows PM Modi’s previous public statements regarding exam paper leaks over the years. “The Prime Minister, who continues to protect the Minister Pradhan, himself has no credibility on the paper leaks. This is his poor track record of giving statements on paper leaks so far,” the Congress leader told ANI.
Opposition raised questions on PM Modi’s statement
Ramesh’s comments come a day after PM Modi promised “even stricter” action against the paper leak in a self-recorded video shared on Twitter on Thursday, while protests led by the CJP are still ongoing. In a self-recorded video shared on Twitter, the Prime Minister announced that the Union Cabinet will consider a draft bill providing for fast-track courts and harsher punishment for criminals. “I have instructed departments to set up fast-track courts,” he said.
Sanjay Raut also targeted
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also took a dig at PM Modi, this time over his message to activist Sonam Wangchuk after she ended her 26-day fast. PM Modi had urged Wangchuk to “follow her daily routine as per the advice of doctors and regain her old weight as soon as possible”, adding, “I pray to God that Sonam ji remains healthy.”
In his ex-post, Raut said that the doctors protesting at Jantar Mantar also “advise” that Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, adding that it would have a more positive impact on Wangchuk’s health than fast-track courts. He said, “Respected Prime Minister, many doctors are agitating at Jantar Mantar too! The advice of all those doctors is to take the resignation of the failed Education Minister… Sonam ji’s health will improve even faster than a fast-track court! Sonam ji has given up the fast. The movement against dictatorship will continue! Thank you!”
Opposition demands- Pradhan’s resignation
PM Modi’s assurance comes after weeks of agitation over the NEET paper leak issue, and CJP, who is leading the protest, has insisted that the protest will continue until the Union Education Minister resigns. Many opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, have expressed their criticism on PM Modi’s assurance. Kharge demanded that the Prime Minister make a statement in Parliament, sack Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and apologize to the students protesting over the issue.
In a post shared on Twitter, Kharge said, “When Parliament is in session, the Prime Minister has to make a statement on the floor of Parliament, not record a video late at night and give a unilateral ‘Mann Ki Baat’ outside Parliament!!”
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi also reiterated the opposition’s demands, central to which is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gandhi posted on Twitter, “Mr. Modi, our students are demanding resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Don’t insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video. 1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat up the students. 3. Apologize.”
Meanwhile, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) president Sonia Gandhi said the central government has dealt with peaceful student protests with “cowardice and cruelty”, and has treated the country’s youth as “enemies of the nation” and not as “heirs of the future”.
In an editorial opinion, Sonia Gandhi urged the Center to stop the police action, saying “these are our sons and daughters, our young men and women.” (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)