Shimla, August 11
Himachal Pradesh BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal has launched a sharp attack on the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government over the alleged use of force against students protesting in Ranchi for employment and their rights.
Condemning the action, Bindal said unarmed youths raising their demands through democratic means were allegedly met with barricades, tear gas, water cannons and lathi-charge. He claimed that some students had also complained of women protesters’ clothes being torn during the action, and demanded that the Jharkhand government clarify the circumstances.
“ If young people cannot even raise their voice democratically on issues concerning employment, recruitment and their future, the Congress must explain what democracy means to it,” Bindal said.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the BJP state chief accused him of adopting a “double standard” on student issues. He questioned why Gandhi speaks about student protests in Delhi but remains silent when students protest against a government run by the Congress-JMM alliance in Jharkhand.
Bindal alleged that the Congress raises student-related issues selectively for political gains and demanded that Rahul Gandhi and the party explain their position on the action against protesting youths in Jharkhand.
He also criticised Gandhi over the Opposition’s demands relating to NEET, the resignation of the Education Minister and developments surrounding protests at Jantar Mantar. Bindal said the Centre had strengthened the law against paper leaks and maintained that questions raised in Parliament should be addressed through debate and facts.
“Democracy allows questions, but it also requires answers. If Rahul Gandhi makes allegations, he should also have the courage to face a discussion based on facts,” Bindal said.
The BJP leader said the alleged action against protesting students had exposed what he described as the “double standards” of the Congress on youth issues. He demanded that the Congress-JMM government address the grievances of Jharkhand’s students instead of attempting to suppress their voices.
“Rahul Gandhi ji, stop viewing the country’s youth through the lens of political convenience. If you can see students in Delhi, you should also see the pain of students in Jharkhand,” Bindal said.
