Assam Congress Intensifies Protests Over Examination Irregularities
Protests Escalate in Guwahati
APCC protest on Wednesday
Guwahati, July 22: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) ramped up its protests on Wednesday regarding alleged irregularities in examinations, marching towards the BJP's state headquarters in Guwahati. They are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a parliamentary discussion on the matter.
The demonstration, which started at Rajiv Bhawan and concluded at Vajpayee Bhawan, was organized in solidarity with the ongoing protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar and nationwide demonstrations led by the Congress party.
Leader of the Opposition Wajed Ali Choudhury and MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar spearheaded the march, which saw participation from hundreds of party members.
Protesters chanted slogans like "Paper leak bondho korok" and "BJP hai hai", expressing their outrage over police actions against students during the 'Sansad Chalo' march in New Delhi on July 20.
They called for the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs against students and demanded accountability for the alleged use of force by police.
"Authorities have subjected students to inhumane treatment. We seek answers, which is why we are marching to Vajpayee Bhawan. We want to know why the BJP government rules without compassion and why it ordered a lathi-charge on students," Sikdar stated.
Choudhury echoed concerns about police brutality against peaceful student protesters in the capital, reiterating the party's call for a parliamentary debate on the alleged NEET paper leak.
"There must be a discussion regarding the paper leak crisis in Parliament. Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, and the FIRs against students must be revoked," he emphasized.
Earlier, Congress members also protested outside the Assam Legislative Assembly in Guwahati, showing support for students and Opposition leaders engaged in an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
The protests followed the detention of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, along with several other Opposition leaders by Delhi Police after they staged a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence on Tuesday night.
Following the detentions, Assam Congress leaders and workers protested outside Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, intending to submit a memorandum to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya.
However, police prevented the delegation from entering Raj Bhavan in the Kharghuli area. Although police suggested that the leaders submit the memorandum through an officer, the Congress delegation insisted on meeting the Governor directly.
Sikdar criticized the heavy police presence outside Raj Bhavan, claiming it obstructed their peaceful expression of grievances.
"We are a small group here to meet the Governor and present our concerns. Yet, there is an excessive police deployment," he remarked.
Describing the refusal to meet the Governor as unfortunate, Sikdar affirmed that the party would persist in its protests until justice is served to the students.
"The government may attempt to silence us, but we will continue our demonstrations until justice is achieved for the youth of our nation," he declared.
With the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly set to continue until July 31, the Congress party is likely to consistently raise this issue both inside and outside the House, paving the way for further political tensions regarding the alleged examination irregularities.