New Delhi [India], July 22 (ANI): Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Centre over the police action against protesting students during CJP’s July 20 protest, asking if this is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ‘Ram Rajya’ where “students are beaten up and girls’ clothes torn”.
The Samajwadi Party MP questioned the BJP’s claim of ‘Ram Rajya’ and alleged that students were beaten up and girls’ clothes were torn during the protest at Jantar Mantar. She also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Is this the BJP’s ‘Ram Rajya’? Where students are beaten up, and girls’ clothes are torn. We want a discussion, but the government doesn’t want the same. We want a discussion on the issues of the Ram temple, NEET, and on police and CRPF action against the students. We also want the resignation of their minister (Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan),” Dimple Yadav said.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said students have genuine demands and are fighting for their rights, asserting that there is “nothing undemocratic” about peaceful protests, while alleging that what is happening with students and in Parliament is “undemocratic”.
Speaking to reporters, Wayanad MP said, “Students have a genuine struggle and are asking for change. Paper leaks are happening repeatedly…There is nothing undemocratic with peaceful protest, but what is happening with students and in Parliament is undemocratic.”
The Congress MP further added that students are raising genuine concerns and questioned the allocation of funds.
“What happened with us is irrelevant. You (the media) tell me if what happened with students is right or wrong? Students have genuine demands and are asking for their rights. The Education budget is Rs 1.4 lakh crores, but you are waving off Rs 16 lakh crore loans for Adani and Ambani,” she added.
Congress MP Deepender Hooda also said that the opposition’s demonstration would continue until the Education Minister’s resignation and a discussion on the education system takes place.
“Until Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and discussion on the education system happen, our demonstration will continue,” Hooda said.
On July 20, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held a ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest in the national capital, which was met with police action. The Opposition leaders have strongly criticised the police action and alleged that the protestors were “lathi-charged” and met with tear gas.
Meanwhile, the Opposition MPs today held protests wearing black clothes against the government on the Parliament premises. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi, among others, were present at the protest. (ANI)
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