A Show of Strength on Gwalior's Streets
Amid growing anger over the examination system in Madhya Pradesh, the Indian Youth Congress has now opened a direct front. Alongside grievances about NEET and CBSE related irregularities, the organisation pushed its demand for a One Time Fee (OTF) for students by bringing its workers onto the streets of Gwalior. A youth rally was held on Wednesday for this very purpose, drawing participation from a large number of young people.
The rally was organised by Mitendra Darshan Singh, national general secretary of the All India Youth Congress. Several prominent party leaders shared the stage at the event, including Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhan Chib, Congress Madhya Pradesh chief Jitu Patwari, Congress MLA and former minister Jaivardhan Singh, and former minister PC Sharma. A number of other Congress MLAs were also present at the protest.
'Every Student Should Get a One Time Fee'
Addressing the rally, Youth Congress national president Uday Bhan Chib stated bluntly that a One Time Fee system should be put in place for every student in the country. He alleged that the BJP government is loading thousands of rupees in examination fees onto young people from middle class and poor families, both across the nation and in Madhya Pradesh.
Chib pointed out that even after paying such steep fees, students bear the heaviest blow whenever a paper is leaked somewhere. Holding Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan directly responsible for this situation, he demanded that the minister resign. He also assured students that the Congress stands firmly with them on this demand and will implement it once the party forms the government.
Patwari's Jibe: A Big Syndicate Is at Work
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari launched a sharp attack on the government on the occasion. He said that Narendra Modi's government has been in power for the past 12 years, and under such a government young people should not have faced injustice on employment and education. The reality, however, is the opposite.
Citing figures, Patwari said that during the BJP government's tenure papers were leaked 90 times and examinations had to be cancelled 50 times. He alleged that a large BJP syndicate is actively at work behind all these irregularities.
NEET Lapses Put Lakhs of Futures at Stake
The Youth Congress argues that the NEET paper leak and the irregularities repeatedly surfacing in the examination system have directly affected the futures of lakhs of students. The organisation contends that students who work hard day and night are being subjected to open injustice, and that the government has completely failed to answer these questions.
Congress leaders further alleged that the promises made on implementing OTF have not been fulfilled to date, which is why students continue to face expensive examination fees. The organisation made it clear that its agitation will continue until this demand of the students is met.
