Alappuzha, 26 July (H.S.): Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Sunday said the party was not interested in claiming credit for the success of the recent student-led agitation, asserting that the movement belonged to the country's youth rather than any political organisation.
Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha, Venugopal said the Congress viewed the outcome of the protest as a victory for students and young people who had fought against alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations. “We do not see this as the victory of any single platform or political party. It is the victory of the youth,” he said.
He explained that the Congress had deliberately chosen not to take a prominent public role during the Jantar Mantar protests as part of a conscious political strategy. According to Venugopal, had the party assumed leadership at the outset, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would have accused the Congress of attempting to destabilise the Union government, thereby shifting attention away from the students' demands.
While remaining in the background, the Congress extended full support to the agitating students, he said. The assistance included legal aid and other forms of organisational backing throughout the course of the protest. Venugopal added that the students were fully aware of the support provided by the Congress.
Responding to questions about the growing role of other opposition groups in the agitation, Venugopal said the Congress had no concerns about such developments. He reiterated that the party welcomed every democratic movement against the government, provided those leading the protests were sincere in the issues they raised.
At the same time, he cautioned that protest movements should remain genuine and not become symbolic exercises. Referring to activist Sonam Wangchuk, Venugopal remarked that movements should not follow a path that loses focus or credibility.
On the proposed legislation currently under discussion, Venugopal said the opposition's collective stand would be decided at a meeting of opposition parties scheduled for Monday. He also warned that the Congress would not accept what he described as any attempt to “throw dust in the eyes of the people” over the issue.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
