Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)

Udupi, July 23: Alleging that the BJP-led Union government has weakened the democratic tradition of discussion and debate, MLC Manjunath Bhandary said that the Centre has failed to address the concerns of students protesting against issues related to the National Testing Agency (NTA). Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Brahmagiri, MLC Manjunath Bhandary said democracy is built on discussion and debate, but the Narendra Modi government has refused to engage with students despite weeks of protests.

"In Parliament, the government discusses several issues, but it has not discussed the concerns raised by students who have been protesting for weeks. Lakhs of students from across the country came together demanding that their problems be heard. The NTA was formed with the promise of conducting examinations fairly, but after the paper leak controversy, several students were pushed into distress, with nearly 20 reportedly attempting suicide. Instead of discussing the reforms needed in the education system, the government ignored their voices.

When social activist Sonam Wangchuk undertook a hunger strike and students decided to march towards Parliament seeking dialogue, they were stopped. The manner in which the police handled the students was unacceptable. These students are not anti-national; they are only fighting for their rights. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge stood with the students, but even peaceful protests were met with arrests. Before 2014, the BJP supported student protests, but today it calls them wrong. Even union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had once marched for student issues when he was an ABVP leader, but today he is silent," he said.

MLC Manjunath Bhandary also criticised what he termed the 'personalisation' of government schemes and publicity. "While travelling on a flight, I noticed the Prime Minister's photograph even on the flight ticket. Tomorrow, perhaps his photograph will appear on students' hall tickets as well. Instead of focusing on publicity, the government should invite students for discussions and address their genuine concerns. The Congress party stands firmly with the students," he asserted.

Speaking on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, MLC Manjunath Bhandary said the Congress has no objection to the exercise in Karnataka but expressed concern over reports of large-scale deletion of voters in other states. "We have doubts because More then lacs names were reportedly deleted in West Bengal, affecting voting rights. Such incidents should not be repeated in Karnataka. Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar has instructed party workers in every district to ensure that no eligible voter, particularly those from minority communities or those unaware of the process, is deprived of their voting rights," he said.

Referring to the alleged theft case linked to the Ram Mandir, MLC Manjunath Bhandary said, "The party that promised development has instead witnessed incidents that have hurt the sentiments of devotees. Since the Prime Minister personally inaugurated the temple and performed its opening rituals, the government must take responsibility. The matter should be investigated thoroughly, and those responsible must be identified and punished according to law."

Ashok Kumar, District Congress president; Ramesh Kanchan, Block Congress president; Jyothi Hebbar, District Mahila Congress president; Dinesh hedge Molahalli, Prasadraj Kanchan, Kishan Hegde Kolkebailu, Udaya Shetty Muniyal and party leaders were present.