Kolkata, 25 July (H.S.): The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), South Bengal, on Saturday strongly condemned what it described as the alleged use of students’ genuine demands for political interests and the mental and physical harassment of journalists during protests in Kolkata.
In a press statement, the ABVP alleged that certain organisations were attempting to exploit students’ emotions in the name of the student movement, spread what it termed “anti-national sentiment” and mislead students. It also condemned the alleged organised harassment of journalists, describing the media as the “fourth pillar of democracy.”
The ABVP claimed that the Central government had taken prompt and responsible steps following the alleged NEET question paper leak. It said investigations into the matter, action against those responsible, administrative reforms and measures aimed at protecting students’ interests demonstrated that the government had not compromised on the issue.
The organisation welcomed the initiatives taken under the leadership and cooperation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, stating that the concerns of students had been given due importance.
ABVP West Bengal State Secretary Nilkantha Bhattacharya said that any movement based on genuine demands and concerns of students should remain peaceful, democratic and constructive.
He alleged that some Left-wing organisations were attempting to use students’ emotions for political gains, create divisions in society and encourage what he described as anti-national sentiments.
“Attacks on journalists performing their duties during a protest are a direct assault on democratic values and media freedom,” Bhattacharya said.
He added that the ABVP believes that violence, misinformation or anti-national propaganda could never be the way to protect students’ interests. According to him, lasting solutions to problems in the education sector can only be achieved through transparency, accountability, democratic dialogue and institutional reforms.
The statement comes amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal over protests related to the NEET issue and alleged attacks on journalists during demonstrations in Kolkata.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
