New Delhi, 24 July (H.S.): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video message on the NEET question paper leak issue, said that the Prime Minister should come to Parliament and respond instead of making a one-sided statement outside the House.

Kharge demanded that before addressing Parliament, the Prime Minister should remove Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from his post, apologise to the students, and take strict action against those responsible for the alleged lathi-charge and use of pellet guns against students.

In a post on the social media platform X on Friday, Kharge said that when the Parliament session is underway, the Prime Minister should make statements on the floor of the House rather than releasing a video late at night and presenting his views outside Parliament. He added that the Prime Minister should come to the House only after removing Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from his position.

The Congress president reiterated the demands raised by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, stating that the government should first publicly apologise to students and take stringent action against officials responsible for using batons and pellet guns against students who were protesting peacefully. Only after this, he said, can a detailed discussion be held on reforms in the education system and examination process.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message released late Thursday night, said that the government had taken several steps over the past two and a half months to prevent incidents of question paper leaks and that those involved had been arrested and sent to jail.

The Prime Minister said that officials had prepared a draft regarding the establishment of fast-track courts for the speedy disposal of question paper leak cases and ensuring strict punishment for the guilty. The draft would be discussed in the Union Cabinet meeting on Friday, and after considering suggestions, it would be finalised and presented before Parliament soon.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar