India
oi-Swastika Sruti
In the latest development, Leader of Opposition- Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday in a press conference intensified his attack on the Centre. He said that the focus should remain on students’ concern rather that what happened to him.
Rahul Gandhi demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, urging focus on 152 exam paper leaks affecting 7.5 crore students and rising education costs, rather than his own treatment by police.
Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi dismissed questions about his own treatment by the police and instead renewed his demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. He alleged that the country’s education system is “rigged” and accused the government of failing to address repeated examination paper leaks and the rising cost of education.
“Don’t Focus On Me, Focus On Students”
When asked about the confrontation near the Prime Minister’s residence and allegations that he had crossed the line during the protest, Rahul Gandhi brushed aside the issue.
He said he was not concerned about how he was treated and urged people to focus on the larger issues affecting students.
“If they want to treat me five times worse, let them. I don’t care.”
He added that the real discussion should be about the problems faced by students across the country.
“The focus has to be on the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, repeated paper leaks and the rising cost of education. That is the real issue,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi also dismissed the government’s allegations against him, saying they did not matter to him.
“Do whatever you want to do. In fact, I learn from it. The government’s allegations have no consequence for me.”
“If Students Are On The Streets, We Should Be Too”
When asked about what pushed the Congress leaders top protest outside PM Modi’s residence, Rahul stated that they felt it was their responsibility to stand with students. “If the students of India are on the streets, then we should also be on the streets with them,” he said.
He said the Opposition wanted to send a clear message that students are not alone. He referred to what he described as 152 paper leaks affecting nearly 7.5 crore students, while alleging that there had been zero convictions in those cases.
According to him, repeated examination irregularities have weakened students’ trust in the system.
“Police Dragged Me Away”
Rahul Gandhi also spoke about the police action during the Opposition protest.
He acknowledged that police personnel dragged him away from the protest site.
However, he claimed that while taking him away, some police personnel privately expressed their dissatisfaction with the government.
“Yes, it is true that the police dragged me away. But while doing so, they were whispering in my ear, saying, ‘Remove this government.'”
