BJP leaders call out Rahul Gandhi’s ‘double standards’ over student protests

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday slammed Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for holding up Parliament in the ongoing Monsoon Session, and for exhibiting “double standards” while not lending an ear to student protests in Jharkhand.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders called out the Congress leader’s alleged “false claims”, saying that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah is ready to answer their questions in the House, and Rahul Gandhi should not “run away”. They also questioned the Opposition leader’s silence on the students’ protest in Jharkhand.

“Rahul Gandhi is changing his goalpost every day in Parliament and in the country’s narrative. His aim is not to engage in dialogue, but to spread chaos. He has no intention of letting the House function; he doesn’t want the House to run. And therefore, for the past 15 days, he has been obstructing the House, the Parliament,” wrote Nadda on a social media post, quoting his earlier address to the media.

The former BJP president alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s objective is not to engage in dialogue, but to create anarchy.

The session has witnessed repeated uproars from the Opposition benches, leading to adjournments of both Houses of Parliament. Opposition parties, spearheaded by the Congress leader, have been raising their voice over the NEET paper leak, to demand accountability for police actions against protesters, and also about alleged irregularities in Ayodhya Ram Mandir donations.

“Rahul Gandhi, don’t run away from discussion; inside the House, we are ready to discuss every issue, and you will be given a befitting reply,” stated Nadda.

While the government agreed to a discussion on the students’ issues, BJP charged Rahul Gandhi of “misleading the people and the country by claiming that firing took place at Jantar Mantar, whereas no firing took place there”.

Meanwhile, in Ranchi on Monday, police used batons, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse thousands of students marching towards the Assembly building. They were protesting alleged exam paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in Jharkhand.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto was hospitalised after his health deteriorated during a nine-day hunger strike.

“Can’t he hear the voice of the students in Jharkhand? Double standards are what Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party adopt; they have no intention of letting the House function properly. Creating chaos in this, bringing negative politics, playing the role of an irresponsible opposition—this is what they have kept doing,” added Nadda.

Earlier in the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was ready for a detailed discussion on all issues concerning students and that the Home Minister (HM) would respond to every point raised by the Opposition. He urged Opposition members not to disrupt proceedings and allow the discussion and reply to take place.

— IANS

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