Patna, Aug 11: Bihar minister Nitish Mishra on Tuesday accused the Congress of adopting “double standards” on issues concerning students and youth, questioning the party’s response to the ongoing protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in JPSC and JSSC examinations.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office here, Mishra said political parties should maintain a consistent position on student movements irrespective of the state where protests are taking place.
He also termed Monday’s lathicharge on protesting students in Jharkhand “unfortunate”, while asserting that students and youth have the right to peacefully raise their concerns.
“When students protested in Delhi, prominent Congress and opposition netas were seen standing with them. But when students in Jharkhand are protesting over JPSC and JSSC-related issues, the opposition is not even ready to acknowledge their concerns. Are the students protesting in Jharkhand not students of this country?” Mishra asked.
The minister alleged that Congress leaders had backed student protests in Delhi but were reluctant to acknowledge the concerns of agitators in Jharkhand, where the party is part of the ruling alliance.
Mishra said his criticism was not aimed at the students’ right to protest but at what he described as the Congress’s inconsistent approach towards student movements.
“Students and youth have every right to peacefully express their concerns,” he said, adding that dialogue should be the preferred way to resolve such disputes.
Citing Bihar, the urban development and housing minister said several employee agitations, including those involving municipal workers and executive officers, had been resolved through discussions between the government and protesters.
Mishra also criticised the opposition over disruptions in Parliament, alleging that proceedings had been repeatedly disrupted for the past 15 days and that opposition parties were shifting their focus from one issue to another.
“Parliament is a forum for debate, deliberation and finding solutions. If the govt is ready to respond, the opposition should also have the patience and willingness to listen,” he said.
The minister reiterated that political parties should support the right of students to raise genuine concerns while maintaining the same approach to such movements across different states.
