Agartala, Aug 11: Tripura Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday extended the BJP’s support to protesting students in Jharkhand and accused the Congress-JMM coalition government there of adopting “double standards” in dealing with student movements.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh BJP headquarters in Agartala, Chowdhury said demands for transparent recruitment, a corruption-free administration and protection of students’ future were democratic and should be addressed without political considerations.
The press conference was held at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Hall in Kushabhau Bhavan.
Chowdhury alleged that the Congress was taking contradictory positions on student protests in different states. He questioned why protests by students in Delhi received political attention while, according to him, those agitating in Jharkhand were not receiving similar support from Congress leaders.
“In Delhi one policy, in Bengal another, in Tripura another, in Jharkhand another, and in Kerala yet another,” Chowdhury said, alleging that such politics had contributed to Congress becoming disconnected from the public.
He also questioned why Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury had visited Delhi but not Ranchi despite the student agitation there.
The minister further alleged that police used excessive force against protesting students in Jharkhand and claimed that women protesters were subjected to harassment. He criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over what he described as his silence on the protests and urged him to raise the students’ concerns with the Jharkhand government.
Chowdhury also referred to controversies surrounding recruitment examinations and alleged that opposition parties were attempting to derive political advantage from students’ concerns.
Referring to the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, the minister said the BJP-led Central government had taken steps to strengthen laws and ensure strict action against those involved in examination irregularities. He contrasted the Centre’s approach with what he described as attempts by Congress to politicise the issue.
Chowdhury maintained that movements demanding fair recruitment and a corruption-free system should be viewed beyond party politics. He also appealed to the media to remain neutral while reporting on student protests and related political developments.
Concluding his remarks, the minister reiterated the BJP’s support for the Jharkhand students and called upon the Congress-JMM government to address their demands without delay.
