Maha Minister targets Rahul Gandhi over Ranchi lathi charge on students
Mumbai, Aug 11 (IANS) Raising a sharp question on who ordered the brutal attack on students peacefully protesting in Ranchi against the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) paper leak and demanding employment, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Tuesday asked whether Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi would now dare to raise this question, demand someone’s resignation, or step down himself.
Launching a scathing attack, Shelar said turning one’s face toward the protests at Jantar Mantar while ignoring the agitation in Ranchi exposed the opposition’s hypocrisy.
He pointed out that students in Ranchi were protesting peacefully, patiently and in a disciplined manner, without using abusive language. Yet, barbed wire was placed in their path, tear gas was fired, and they were ruthlessly lathi‑charged.
He termed the incident extremely unfortunate and said no amount of condemnation would be enough.
“This government is not merely that of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Rahul Gandhi is leading that government with 16 MLAs and four ministers. So, what stance will Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Hemant Soren take now? Have the opposition shut their ears to this?” he asked.
Shelar further questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence, saying he showed false sympathy in Delhi but did not go to wipe the tears of students in Jharkhand.
He also asked why Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray were silent and whether the Congress would walk out of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand in protest against the violence.
He said the opposition’s professed concern for students was insincere, describing it as “Pootna Maushi’s love”. According to him, the opposition had no real concern for the future of students and was only interested in politics of convenience.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stands firmly with the youth and students of Jharkhand, Shelar said, demanding that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress tender an unconditional apology to the youth of the country for their double standards.
He added that Parliament was a place to address people’s issues and find solutions, but the opposition was disrupting proceedings by making false statements and spreading incorrect information.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be present in Parliament to respond to the opposition. Be prepared to hear the truth from him. Do not run away; don’t act cowardly,” Shelar said.
–IANS
sj/dan