Srinagar, July 23 (JKNS): BJP Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of avoiding a parliamentary debate on the NEET paper leak issue, while asserting that the Narendra Modi-led government is committed to protecting students’ future and ensuring a transparent and credible examination system.
As per news agency JKNS, Thakur accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of evading a parliamentary debate on the NEET paper leak issue, asserting that the Narendra Modi-led government is committed to safeguarding the future of students and ensuring a transparent, fair and credible examination system.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Jawahar Nagar here, Thakur, who was accompanied by BJP spokesman Manzoor Bhat, said the future and welfare of students remain the foremost priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that the government would not spare anyone found guilty of compromising the integrity of examinations.
“The Prime Minister has decided that all paper leak cases will be heard in fast-track courts so that those responsible are punished swiftly. Necessary directions have already been issued to the concerned departments. This is a major step towards strengthening the credibility and transparency of the country’s examination system,” Thakur said.
Questioning Rahul Gandhi’s stand on the issue, Thakur said it was time to focus on solutions rather than indulge in politics.
“This is not the time for political rhetoric but for addressing the concerns of lakhs of students. Unfortunately, Rahul Gandhi appears more interested in giving the issue a political colour than in finding a lasting solution. Students and their future should never become victims of politics,” he said.
Thakur said the BJP wants a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on the NEET examination and paper leak issue and questioned why the Congress was reluctant to participate in such a debate.
“We are ready for a detailed discussion under any rule and for as long as required. Students also want Parliament to debate this issue seriously. Why is Rahul Gandhi running away from the debate?” he asked.
He said the government was willing to work with the Opposition to evolve a permanent mechanism to prevent examination irregularities and invited constructive suggestions from all political parties.
“If the Opposition has better proposals to strengthen the examination system, they should place them before Parliament. Misleading young people and exploiting their emotions for political gains serves no purpose,” Thakur said.
The BJP spokesperson alleged that the Congress, having repeatedly lost the confidence of the people, was attempting to gain political mileage by exploiting students’ concerns.
“We will not allow the future of our youth to be sacrificed for political interests,” he said.
Referring to allegations over paper leaks, Thakur said such incidents were not confined to the present government and had also occurred during Congress-led regimes.
“The difference is that the present government has acted decisively. It has acknowledged the problem, initiated strict legal and administrative action, made arrests and ensured that several major examinations have been conducted successfully in recent months,” he said.
Highlighting the Centre’s focus on education, Thakur said public investment in the sector had increased significantly under the Modi government compared to the UPA era. He also referred to the expansion of IITs, AIIMS and other higher educational institutions across the country as evidence of the government’s commitment to strengthening educational infrastructure.
Thakur said the need of the hour was to collectively build a robust, transparent and trustworthy examination system instead of politicising issues concerning students.
“The government’s priority is to secure the future of millions of students, and that is also what the country’s youth expect,” Thakur said. (JKNS)
