Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed “serious concerns” over the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party and Congress protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Dismissing the students’ protests against the Centre over the issue of paper leaks as “manufactured anger”, Singh alleged that some people with vested interests are trying to use the youth as political tools.
“The ongoing protests in Delhi are a matter of serious concern. It is extremely unfortunate that some people are trying to use our students and youth as political tools to serve their own vested interests,” he said.
The Defence Minister further reiterated the Narendra Modi government’s resolve to fulfil the aspirations of students.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government remains fully committed to fulfilling the aspirations of students and young people and ensuring their welfare,” Singh said.
He said that the government has already expressed its readiness to discuss the issue of paper leaks in Parliament, asserting that a solution cannot be found on the streets.
“It is our responsibility to listen to every concern of our students and address it. I have complete faith that India’s aware, mature, and discerning youth understand such misleading attempts and will choose the path of progress, development, and nation-building,” he added.
Singh’s remarks came amid the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. The agitation called by Cockroach Janta Party turned into a massive student movement after it was joined by renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
While Wangchuk was forcibly evicted from the protest site and shifted to a hospital over health concerns due to his prolonged hunger strike, several Opposition leaders extended their support to the agitation.
The protesters have been demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and reforms in the country’s education system.
The police crackdown on the protesters during Monday’s march to Parliament has also prompted a sharp response from the Opposition parties.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday staged a dharna outside the 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Several Congress leaders, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other MPs also joined Gandhi in his dharna against the alleged police brutality during the Parliament march.
However, the police forcibly evicted the Congress leaders, keeping them in detention for a brief period.