Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing NEET protests, calling him India’s “past” while calling the protesting students the country’s “future” and asserting that the Prime Minister cannot defeat them.
Speaking to reporters, Gandhi alleged that government machinery was being used against the protesting students, but urged them to remain steadfast in their agitation.
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“I will not back down”: Rahul Gandhi
“This is the regime that is attacking them,” he said. “I told them inside: Don’t worry. No amount of power of the entire Indian government – every person in the government – can move you from there. Let them do what they want. If they want to stop you or threaten you, they can try. We will not back down.”
“They are the future of India, and no one can fight them. Narendra Modi is India’s past, and the past cannot fight the future.”
Gandhi also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologize to the students and reiterated their call for the immediate dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Finally, the person running this system, the Prime Minister of Hindustan – who stays up late making videos and claimed yesterday that ‘very good suggestions have been received’ – must understand that it is not about suggestions; the demand is to remove Dharmendra Pradhan.”
He added: “The principal official must apologize to these students, as they were beaten, assaulted and humiliated.”
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Speaking to reporters, CJP leader Abhijit Debaki welcomed activist Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end his 26-day hunger strike, but said the party’s protest would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the alleged leak of NEET papers.
“Our protest will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. We are very happy and relieved that Mr. Sonam has ended his hunger strike, which has been going on for more than 26 days. His life is very precious to this country,” Debki told reporters.
Reiterating the party’s position on talks with the Centre, Debke said any negotiations should take place in a neutral place and stressed that Pradhan’s resignation demand is non-negotiable.
His remarks came after activist Sonam Wangchuk slammed his critics who questioned his decision to end the 26-day hunger strike he undertook to support students protesting against the alleged leak of NEET papers.
