Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal strongly condemned the lathi-charge on students and young aspirants protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding reforms in the education and examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Stating that lakhs of young people had gathered in the national capital seeking justice, the former Delhi Chief Minister said the government had chosen to respond with force instead of dialogue. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set aside arrogance, listen to the country’s youth, and address their anger before it deepens further.
During his visit to Punjab, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal reacted to the ongoing youth protest at Jantar Mantar. He said, “Just look at the situation in Delhi. Connaught Place is packed, Janpath is packed, and Jantar Mantar is overflowing with people. Thousands and lakhs of young people from across the country have gathered here, but instead of listening to them, the government is using its full machinery of repression against them. The police are lathi-charging students and beating them. Internet services have been suspended, and they are being prevented from marching to Parliament. This is completely wrong. Where are these young people supposed to go?”
The AAP Chief further said, “The government first allows their examination papers to be leaked. Then, when the examination is conducted again, there are serious irregularities in the evaluation process. Students keep filing complaint after complaint, but no one listens to them. Where are these students supposed to go? The government has ruined their future. And now, when they come out on the streets to seek justice, they are being lathi-charged. This is absolutely unacceptable, and the students are deeply angry.”
Appealing directly to the Prime Minister, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “I want to tell Prime Minister Modi that you must address the anger of these students. Otherwise, it will prove very costly for you. Sit down with these young people and talk to them. They are the children of our own country. Why is the government refusing to engage with them? Why is there so much arrogance?”
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “There are countless students who believe that education can transform their lives and secure a better future for their families. They wake up at 3 a.m. to study and spend 14 hours a day preparing for examinations like NEET. But just one or two days before the examination, they come to know that the paper has been leaked. Wealthy people purchase the leaked papers, and only their children get ahead. This is completely wrong.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “I fully support the ongoing protest by our students at Jantar Mantar. We all stand firmly with the students in their fight for justice.”
