Bengaluru: The Congress on Monday strongly condemned the police action against students during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in Delhi, alleging that those participating in a peaceful protest were subjected to lathicharge and detention while demanding justice over examination-related issues.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad accused the Centre of suppressing the voices of students instead of addressing their concerns. He alleged that the government had failed to prevent examination paper leaks and had responded to students’ demands with police action.
“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right in a democracy. Students carrying books, placards and demands for justice should not be met with lathis, barricades and arrests,” Hariprasad said, describing the alleged police action as “undemocratic” and “shameful”.
Drawing a parallel with the freedom movement, Hariprasad claimed that attempts to suppress peaceful protests through force had failed in the past and would not succeed now. He accused the BJP-led government of following “colonial methods” to silence dissent and said such actions would be remembered by history.
The Congress leader further alleged that young people who had voted for the government after being promised employment were now facing arrests for demanding jobs and fairness in examinations. He questioned the Centre’s handling of issues such as examination paper leaks and accused it of responding to public grievances with police force.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ outreach programme, Hariprasad said the government should be prepared to answer students’ genuine concerns. He also claimed that any use of force against students amounted to an attack on democratic values and constitutional rights.
The Congress demanded immediate medical treatment for injured students, the release of those detained during the protest, a public apology from the Centre, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him morally responsible for the incident.
