Tripura Tourism and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday accused the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government in Jharkhand of adopting a "double standard" over student protests, while extending the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) moral support to the ongoing democratic movement by students in the state.
Addressing a press conference at the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Hall of the BJP's state headquarters, Kushabhau Thakre Bhavan in Agartala on Tuesday afternoon, Chowdhury alleged that the Congress and its allies were pursuing different political approaches to similar student movements in different states.
He said the BJP stands firmly with the students of Jharkhand, describing their demands as democratic and aimed at securing the future of the younger generation through a transparent, corruption-free recruitment system.
"The students are fighting for fair recruitment and against corruption. Their demands deserve serious consideration, and the Jharkhand government should immediately accept them," Chowdhury said.
The minister claimed that when students in Delhi staged protests over similar issues, they received recognition and support, but students in Jharkhand were being treated differently. He termed this a clear example of the Congress' "double standards."
Chowdhury further alleged that a national political party should maintain a uniform policy across the country, but Congress was adopting different positions in Delhi, West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand and Kerala based on political convenience.
Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chowdhury questioned his silence over the Jharkhand students' agitation despite being vocal on similar issues elsewhere.
"If Rahul Gandhi is genuinely concerned about students' rights, he should speak out against the Congress-JMM government in Jharkhand and pressure it to accept the students' demands," he said.
The BJP leader also referred to the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG question paper leak, alleging that the Congress attempted to create unrest over the issue for political gain. He said the Narendra Modi-led government had introduced stringent legal measures to combat examination paper leaks and safeguard the future of students.
Chowdhury further claimed that Parliament had witnessed attempts by the opposition to politicise the issue instead of cooperating in strengthening anti-paper leak legislation.
Referring to reports of police action during the Jharkhand students' protests, the minister alleged that protesters had faced excessive force and claimed that women participating in the demonstrations were subjected to harassment.
He also criticised Tripura Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, questioning why he had remained silent on the ongoing agitation in Ranchi while taking political positions on issues in Delhi.
Reiterating the BJP's stand, Chowdhury said the party was extending its moral support to the Jharkhand students and urged the Congress-JMM government to immediately accept their legitimate demands.
"The Jharkhand government should demonstrate its sincerity by addressing the students' concerns without delay. Democratic movements aimed at protecting the future of students and ensuring transparent recruitment should be viewed beyond political considerations," he said.
He also called upon the media and constitutional institutions to remain impartial while reporting and responding to democratic movements, stressing that the rights of students should receive the highest priority.