Kharge Slams Police Action Against Protesters, Says It Is Not How a ‘Mother of Democracy’ Treats Its Citizens

New Delhi, 21 July : Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc convened a key coordination meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday to chalk out their strategy for the ongoing Monsoon Session and discuss issues they plan to raise inside the House.

The meeting was attended by senior opposition leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and representatives from several alliance partners such as the Samajwadi Party, Left parties, and Shiv Sena factions. The leaders discussed parliamentary priorities, coordination between parties, and their approach towards upcoming debates.

The opposition meeting came amid heightened political activity over student protests and allegations related to irregularities in competitive examinations.

Kharge Skips Birthday Celebration Over Student Protest Issue

Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge announced that he would not celebrate his 84th birthday, expressing concern over the police action against students protesting over examination-related issues.

Kharge criticised the use of force against demonstrators and said that peaceful protests by young people should be addressed through dialogue rather than administrative measures.

In a post on social media platform X, the Congress leader questioned the government’s handling of the situation and raised concerns over the use of lathis, tear gas, and restrictions during the protests.

He said the response to students seeking justice was unacceptable and called for greater accountability from authorities.

Kharge Demands Answers on Exam Irregularities

Highlighting concerns among students affected by alleged paper leaks and examination controversies, Kharge questioned why young protesters had to face police action while demanding answers.

He raised issues related to alleged examination failures, restrictions imposed during protests, and the impact of irregularities on thousands of students.

The Congress leader said the government should allow a detailed discussion on the matter in Parliament and demanded that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan take moral responsibility for the situation.

Kharge also called for reforms in the examination system, including stronger security measures, transparent processes, and protection for students affected by irregularities.

Congress Chief Calls for Student-Centric Education Reforms

Kharge outlined several demands aimed at improving India’s examination framework. These included secure digital question banks, randomised question papers, independent monitoring mechanisms, and stronger safeguards for students.

He also stressed the need for increased investment in education and urged the government to ensure that academic institutions remain free from political influence.

According to Kharge, students facing difficulties due to examination-related problems should receive proper support, including opportunities for re-examination and compensation wherever required.

Government Says It Stands With Students

Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government remains committed to protecting students’ interests and taking strict action against those responsible for examination irregularities.

Speaking after the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured party members that the government supports students and considers issues like paper leaks a serious national concern.

He added that such matters should be handled with responsibility and should not become a subject of political confrontation.

Opposition Plans Aggressive Floor Strategy During Monsoon Session

The INDIA bloc meeting focused on improving coordination among opposition parties as Parliament continues its Monsoon Session.

Opposition parties are expected to raise several issues during discussions, including education-related concerns, governance matters, and issues affecting citizens.

The Monsoon Session began on Monday and is scheduled to continue until August 13. Both the government and opposition are preparing for detailed debates on various national issues during the parliamentary proceedings.

Political Debate Intensifies Over Student Concerns

The controversy surrounding student protests and examination irregularities has emerged as a major issue during the parliamentary session.

While opposition parties have accused the government of failing to address students’ grievances, the ruling alliance has maintained that necessary steps are being taken to investigate irregularities and ensure fairness.

As Parliament proceedings continue, student related concerns are likely to remain a major point of discussion between the government and opposition benches.