Congress holds sit-in protests across Himachal, Haryana, Punjab over student issues

Several Congress leaders Himachal Pradesh and Punjab held a sit-in protest outside the Governor houses (Lok Bhawans) of their States, in what they termed as ‘solidarity with students’, even as a few leaders of Haryana Congress were detained.

The Congress leaders alleged that the BJP governments have continuously failed to protect the interests and future of the country’s students. Repeated examination irregularities, administrative failures and the government’s insensitive response have shaken the confidence of lakhs of young aspirants and their families, the Congress leaders pointed out.

In Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led the sit-in protest. Mr. Sukhu said that the central government’s accountability must be fixed and that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. “When the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, sat on a protest in support of the students’ demands, he and Priyanka Gandhi were forcibly taken away in a vehicle. Strict action against those who mistreated the two leaders,” he said in Shimla.

In Haryana, the protest was led by AICC in-charge for Haryana, Sanjay Dutt. The police detained a few Congress leaders as they were on their way to Haryana Lok Bhawan here. Mr. Dutt said they were protesting in solidarity with the nationwide movement led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr. Gandhi, who, along with Members of Parliament, marched towards the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi to raise the concerns of the country’s students.

“We extend our commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with the student community and to continue fighting, both inside and outside Parliament, for a transparent examination system, protection of democratic rights, and justice for every student,” he added.

In Punjab, Congress leaders were led by former Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and former State Assembly Speaker Rana K.P. Singh to hold a protest outside Lok Bhawan in Chandigarh.