Ranchi, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : Rakesh Sinha, the media in-charge for the Congress party, has taken aim at the government over several pressing issues, including the cancellation of advertisements for four recruitment exams, during a recent press conference in Ranchi. He highlighted ongoing hearings in the High Court challenging the state’s decision regarding the JPSC and JSSC examinations, as well as issues related to OBC reservations, the MMDR Act, GDP growth, India-China relations, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and the Disha Salian case.
Sinha stated that following student protests, the government had engaged in dialogue to address their demands, which led to the cancellation of both the JPSC and JSSC exams. However, he noted that the matter has now escalated to the courts.
He emphasized the importance of respecting judicial decisions, asserting that the government must present its case in court and that all parties should accept the outcome. The public has faith in the judiciary, and its rulings should be honored.
On the OBC issue, Sinha reiterated Congress’s demand for a separate OBC column in the caste census. This initiative aims to accurately reflect the population of various social groups and strengthen the debate on their representation. The party plans to organize a rally from Bapu Vatika to Lok Bhavan, culminating in a memorandum to the President via the Governor.
Sinha accused the central government of politically exploiting the OBC community and urged clarity on its stance regarding the OBC column in the census.
He also criticized the MMDR Act, labeling it a matter of Jharkhand’s interests. Sinha claimed that decisions regarding mineral resources significantly impact the state’s land, environment, and displacement issues, while the economic benefits are often overlooked. He mentioned that approximately ₹1.36 lakh crore in dues related to Jharkhand is critical, asserting that the MMDR Bill was passed without adequate debate on the final day of the session before receiving presidential assent.
As part of their protest, Congress will march to Lok Bhavan on the 26th and plans to challenge the law in court, citing potential impacts on the powers of village assemblies.
Sinha questioned the government’s claims of strong GDP growth, accusing it of creating confusion with “magical figures.” He argued that if the economy is truly thriving, why are ordinary citizens still grappling with high inflation? Rising costs have strained household budgets for both rural and urban families.
Addressing External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s comments regarding terrorism, Sinha asserted that no form of terrorism can be justified. He recalled how the opposition supported the government during terrorist incidents, questioning the actions taken against perpetrators following the Pahalgam attack.
Regarding the NRC and UCC discussions, Sinha criticized the timing, suggesting that these issues distract from pressing concerns like inflation and unemployment. He accused the BJP of diverting public attention from economic issues by focusing on religious and citizenship laws. The public, he asserted, now demands direct answers from the government on these critical matters.
In light of reports about reduced Chinese military presence along the LAC, Sinha advised caution, stating that India should not fully trust China. He referenced past tensions despite diplomatic relations and called for vigilance regarding national security and border interests.
On the UCC, Sinha urged former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) to clarify their positions. He warned that if the central government proposes the UCC in Bihar and the JD(U) opposes it, they must decide whether to withdraw their support from the government.
Finally, concerning the Disha Salian case, Sinha accused the central government of politicizing investigative agencies like the CBI. He noted that the discussion around the case intensified following the mention of names like Aditya Thackeray, suggesting that the government uses agencies to pressure the opposition. He affirmed that the opposition will not be intimidated and will continue to advocate for the public’s issues.
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