SHIMLA: Step up its attack on the Central government over the NEET paper leak and widespread irregularities in competitive examinations, the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has announced state-wide protests.
State Congress President Vinay Kumar directed all District Congress Committees to organize candlelight marches at their respective district headquarters on Saturday, July 25, at 7:00 PM. The marches aim to voice opposition against paper leaks, alleged rigging in board and competitive exams, and to demand a fair examination system for the country’s youth.
According to directives issued by the state unit, district presidents have been tasked with making extensive preparations to ensure maximum public and party worker participation. The party leadership instructed all senior leaders, sitting and former MLAs, present and former PCC office-bearers, district and block committee members, frontal organizations, and municipal corporation councillors to attend the protest marches in large numbers.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, Congress leader Kuldeep Singh Rathore accused the Centre of failing to take moral responsibility for the NEET paper leak and attempting to hush up the matter. He condemned the police action against protesting students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, stating that it highlights the government’s apathy toward the youth.
Rathore criticized the Prime Minister‘s late-night address, noting that while fast-track courts were mentioned for quick hearings, no concrete announcements were made regarding the affected students, nor was any sympathy expressed for those injured during protests. He reiterated demands for the Union Education Minister’s resignation, an impartial inquiry into the police action against students, and the immediate withdrawal of cases registered against protesting youths.
Separately, Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi targeted the Centre, accusing it of evading accountability by talking about bringing new legislation when existing laws are sufficient.
Negi pointed out that 152 paper leak incidents have occurred over the last 12 years, affecting millions of students. He questioned why agencies like the CBI and ED failed to act swiftly, pointing out that several accused in the NEET case received bail simply because charge sheets were not filed within the mandatory 90 days. He demanded that money laundering angles be thoroughly investigated in paper leak cases involving massive financial transactions.
The Minister added that political will, effective enforcement of existing laws, and collective cabinet accountability-including the resignation of the concerned minister-are necessary to restore faith in the country’s examination system.
