PM should speak in Parliament on paper leaks, not deliver 'Mann Ki Baat': Congress
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in Parliament on the paper leaks issue instead of delivering
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in Parliament on the paper leaks issue instead of delivering a “one-sided Mann Ki Baat” outside the House. His remarks came after PM Modi announced in a video message on Thursday night that the government would bring a bill in Parliament next week with provisions for strong action against paper leaks. Read Full Story Kharge also demanded the dismissal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an apology to students, and strict action against those who, he alleged, ordered the use of batons and pellet guns against protesting students. Shortly after PM Modi’s message, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the prime minister, saying he had sidestepped the issue of Pradhan’s resignation and should not insult the intelligence of students with a “pathetic midnight video”.
In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, “Before coming to Parliament today, please dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologise to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of batons and pellet guns to suppress the students’ voices. Then we are ready for a detailed discussion on the education system.” He added, “When Parliament is in session, the prime minister is required to make a statement on the floor of the House. He should not be delivering a one-sided ‘Mann Ki Baat’ outside Parliament.” In his video message, PM Modi said the Union Cabinet would discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday and that further action would be finalised after taking suggestions from cabinet colleagues.
“On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks and we will try to pass it as early as possible,” he said. The prime minister said he knew paper leaks were “not a small issue” and that such incidents were extremely painful for lakhs of students and their guardians. He said that since allegations of a NEET paper leak surfaced about two and a half months ago, several strong steps had been taken. “The guilty have been caught. They are now in jail. Our most significant responsibility was to ensure that the students did not lose a year.
It was necessary to hold the examination immediately. By using all resources, the government ensured that 22 lakh students could attend the retest,” PM Modi said. The exchange sharpened the political confrontation over the paper leaks issue, with the government promising legislation and the Congress pressing for accountability in Parliament, including action against the education minister and a direct statement by the prime minister in the House. Ends
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