Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 21: Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said he would not celebrate his 84th birthday in protest against the police action on student protesters during the "Sansad Chalo" march, describing the crackdown as an assault on democratic rights.
In a post on X, Kharge said the country had witnessed lathicharges, tear gas shelling and the suppression of a peaceful democratic protest, where students seeking justice were met with force instead of answers.
"Today is not a day for celebration, but a day to seek accountability and restore democracy," he said.
Referring to the events of Monday, Kharge said, "Yesterday, the nation witnessed lathicharges, tear gas shells, and the crushing of a peaceful democratic protest by the government. The voices of students demanding justice were met with force instead of answers."
He said such treatment was inconsistent with India's claim of being the "Mother of Democracy".
"In these painful circumstances, I have decided not to celebrate my birthday today," Kharge said, while thanking Congress leaders, workers, supporters, well-wishers and citizens for their greetings.
Questioning the government's handling of the protest, Kharge asked why students demanding justice had been met with police force, why Parliament was virtually sealed, and why internet services were suspended in parts of the national capital.
He also sought accountability for repeated examination paper leaks and the hardships faced by lakhs of students.
The Congress chief demanded an immediate discussion on the issue in Parliament and called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying he should accept moral and political responsibility for the alleged irregularities.
Kharge further urged the government to introduce a student-centric examination system with secure digital question banks, randomised question papers and stronger safeguards against leaks.
He also called for an independent, merit-based education system with higher public spending on education and free from what he described as political interference by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Among his other demands were statutory protection for students through mandatory re-examinations and compensation whenever examination irregularities occur.
"Our children deserve justice, not repression," he asserted.
The Congress also criticised the police action during the "Sansad Chalo" march, describing it as a "shameful chapter" in the government's treatment of young people. The party warned that those responsible for using force against students would eventually be held accountable under the Constitution.
Opposition parties have intensified their attack on the government over the handling of examination irregularities and the police crackdown. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had on Monday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "most anti-youth" Prime Minister in the country's history.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which organised the protest, accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force to stop demonstrators from reaching Parliament. The party alleged that several students were injured and that activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, was pushed during the protest.
Delhi Police denied the allegations, stating that reports of Angmo being assaulted were "completely false and misleading" and maintained that no individual had been subjected to targeted assault.
The issue of the alleged NEET examination irregularities also disrupted proceedings in Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, with Opposition parties demanding a detailed discussion.