Cows safer than children in our nation: Mehbooba Mufti backs CJP protest in Delhi
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest over
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, describing the agitation as a battle to protect the Constitution, democracy and the future of the country's youth. Addressing protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where CJP supporters have been camping for several weeks, Mehbooba lauded the students for continuing their demonstration despite harsh weather conditions. She said their movement against alleged exam irregularities would send a strong message against corruption, paper leaks and other injustices. Read Full Story "The exam is theirs. The real test is ours," she told the gathering.
'COWS ARE SAFER THAN CHILDREN' The CJP has been staging an indefinite protest at Jantar Mantar since last month, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, among other demands. Calling the agitation a defining moment for the country's youth, Mehbooba alleged that India had witnessed increasing incidents of "divide and rule" politics, corruption, examination paper leaks and crimes against women over the past several years. "This is what we have seen in the country for the last 12 years — divide and rule. Sometimes 'chanda chori' (donation theft), sometimes paper leaks, sometimes rapes. Even cows are safer than children in our country today," she said.
The PDP chief also criticised the Centre and the judiciary, alleging that the concerns of protesting students had not received adequate attention despite their prolonged agitation. "Our judiciary says, 'We don't have time for that'. If these people do not stand up today against this brutality and injustice, our country will become worse than it was in 1947," she said, adding that meaningful change would be driven by the youth. "If we need to save the Constitution, these people will do it." 'ARROGANCE WILL NOT LAST LONG' Mehbooba said many families spend lakhs of rupees on their children's education and warned that failing to address the concerns of young aspirants would have serious consequences.
Drawing a parallel with Jammu and Kashmir, she claimed that if the Constitution is not protected, the rest of the country could be turned into an "open jail". While referring to protests in neighbouring countries, she said she did not want India to witness similar unrest. She also accused the government of displaying arrogance by ignoring the grievances of students who had been protesting for days in extreme heat. "The power of the youth is the greatest power. This arrogance will not last long," Mehbooba said. Ends
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