India Student Movement: Congress Protests Against Modi Government, CJ Party and Students Continue Sit-in
Photo source, INC
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In the lower house of India’s Parliament, the Lok Sabha, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi led Congress MPs to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been protesting for several weeks in Delhi, urging reforms in India’s education system. Both CJP and student groups hold Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responsible for irregularities in the education sector and demand his resignation.
On Monday, thousands gathered in Delhi at CJP’s call to march towards Parliament. The following day, the Congress party also began applying political pressure on the Modi government through street protests. On Tuesday evening, Rahul Gandhi and fellow Congress leaders staged a sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister’s official residence.
Leaders and activists, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who participated in the sit-in, were detained by Delhi police.
However, the detained leaders were released a few hours later from Chhatrasal Stadium.
What Rahul Gandhi Said
Photo source, EPA/Shutterstock
Following the protest, Gandhi posted a video on social media outlining five demands to the government. The video was recorded while he was in custody at Chhatrasal Stadium.
In the video, Rahul Gandhi explained why they chose to stage the sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence.
“Why is the education system being destroyed? Why are exam papers being leaked? Why is education in India so expensive? Why do parents suffer financially when educating their children? Asking these questions should not be a crime.”
He also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, strict action against those who have beaten and humiliated students, and withdrawal of cases filed against the students.
Rahul Gandhi called for a parliamentary debate on the issue and insisted that the Modi government and the Home Minister should apologize for their treatment of the students.
He said he met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to request a discussion on the students’ concerns in the house, but the Speaker responded that government permission is needed for such debate.
“Seeing no intent from the government throughout the day to address this, we decided to hold the sit-in to draw the nation’s attention to the injustice happening to the students.”
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Response
Facing criticism, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commented on Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday evening.
He claimed that Gandhi’s protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence caused hardship to the general public.
“Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress have been continuously using students for political gains, trying to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament,” he alleged.
According to him, the government was ready to discuss the issue, but “Congress chose political agitation over democratic debate.”
“Their aim was not to find solutions for students’ problems but to create disruptions for political leverage.”
Aam Aadmi Party Also Speaks Out
Photo source, Reuters
Meanwhile, leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused Congress of trying to collaborate with BJP politically.
They argue that while the Modi government responded quickly to Rahul Gandhi’s protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, it ignored the weeks-long agitation by Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar.
The AAP was founded as a protest against Congress and succeeded in displacing Congress from power in Delhi. However, Arvind Kejriwal first became Delhi’s Chief Minister in 2013 with Congress support.
During the protests, AAP also pledged to support young people affected physically or legally.
Party national convener Kejriwal posted on ‘X’, “Yesterday’s cruelty towards children (students) is shameful. If any student needs legal or medical assistance, please send a message to this number.”
“We will provide you with the best legal team. We are all united. You are all our children. You don’t need to fear; we are with you. Together, we will fight this battle.”
Reports indicate many people were injured during Monday’s protest in Delhi.
Protests Continue at Jantar Mantar
Photo source, BBC Hindi/Dilnawaz Pasha
Supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party and students continue their protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Despite rain on Wednesday morning, protestors remained at the site.
Various political leaders and artists continue to visit and support the protesters there.
On Tuesday evening, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra also visited the sit-in location.
Photo source, @abhijeet_dipke
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