Mumbai, July 22: Former Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has launched a verbal assault on the central government, addressing issues such as paper leaks, the CJP movement, the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, opposition protests outside the Prime Minister’s residence, and the Ram Mandir donation controversy. She accused the government of evading accountability on critical matters and failing to take youth concerns seriously.
Regarding the Supreme Court’s recent remarks on the Ram Mandir donation case, Chaturvedi raised serious questions about the current SIT investigation. She pointed out that if there are doubts about the investigation’s integrity, the proposal to form a new SIT raises concerns. She questioned why the investigation is not being conducted under the supervision of the CBI or a sitting judge of the Supreme Court.
Chaturvedi alleged that a fair investigation is being hindered because the BJP has exploited the Ram Mandir issue more as an electoral opportunity than a matter of faith. While the grand temple has been constructed, transparency and accountability regarding related issues remain unaddressed. The fear of political protection for those accused of irregularities is preventing a thorough investigation.
When asked about the CJP protests in Delhi, the former MP stated that this movement did not arise suddenly. Protests have been ongoing for several days, and prior to this, the opposition had consistently demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Congress party, along with its youth wing NSUI and other student organizations, has been vocal on this issue. Rahul Gandhi has also been advocating for students’ voices for some time. Although the platforms of various organizations may differ, their core demand is the accountability of the education minister and assurance that the government will safeguard students’ futures and ensure a fair examination system.
Discussing the monsoon session of Parliament, Chaturvedi noted that it could have proceeded smoothly, but the government seems unwilling to allow it. Following the NEET paper leak and re-examination issues, Maharashtra has also seen a paper leak case related to the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), allegedly linked to the same paper leak network. Had the government acted promptly to hold individuals accountable and demanded the education minister’s resignation, the situation would not have escalated. Instead of fostering dialogue, the government has chosen a path of arrogance, leading to disruptions in the monsoon session and forcing the opposition to protest on the streets.
On the protests by opposition leaders outside the Prime Minister’s residence, Chaturvedi remarked that it reflects an extraordinary situation in a democratic system when two sitting chief ministers and Congress MPs are compelled to stage a sit-in. This action was necessary because students’ voices are not reaching the government. She emphasized that the main demand of the protesters is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability in the entire matter. The Delhi police have used batons and tear gas against the protesters, as seen in several videos. In response, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, are protesting outside the Prime Minister’s residence to ensure that the government takes students’ demands seriously.
Chaturvedi highlighted that it has been over two months since the paper leak issue surfaced, yet the central government has failed to take concrete actions to restore students’ trust. Thousands of students are anxious about their futures, and many have taken to the streets to protest. Some students have not appeared for re-examinations, others have dropped out, and some have even taken their own lives. Numerous parents are also protesting at Jantar Mantar, hoping for justice from the government. The large turnout of students and parents indicates their belief that the central government is continuously ignoring their voices.
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