Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday welcomed the setting up of fast-track courts for paper leak cases and denounced the Opposition’s 'posturing' as the well-wishers of students, claiming that their main agenda was deriving political gain and not safeguarding students’ interests.
He accused the Opposition parties of ‘exploiting’ the issue concerning lakhs of students for their own political gains, rather than safeguarding students’ interests and future. The Union Minister also blasted the Opposition for stalling Parliamentary proceedings.
He said that the government was ready for comprehensive discussion on issues pertaining to aspirations of youth, but the Opposition was continuously changing its stance and shifting the goalpost to derail it. Many other MPs also came down on the INDIA bloc, blaming it for disruptive tactics in Parliament and misleading the students with ‘manufactured’ anger.
They stated that parliamentary debate would bring the Opposition's records and conduct under scrutiny, and hence they were shying away from it.BJP MP Anurag Thakur said that the government has been proactive and prompt in addressing 'shortcomings and hurdles' in education by introducing reforms and making the system more secure and transparent.
He said that keeping the youth in mind, the government has decided to set up fast-track courts and measures have been put in place for strict action and punishment against those who have been exploiting the system for years and were involved in paper leak cases.
“Doesn't the Congress want the guilty punished? Doesn't the Congress want the youth to get justice? What does the Congress actually want?” he asked.Jagdambika Pal said that the government has shown willingness to discuss the paper leaks but the Opposition was bent on creating uproar in the House.
“They talk about protests on the streets, avoid discussion inside Parliament; this clearly indicates that their priority is confrontation rather than finding a solution,” he remarked.BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said, "Government's stance on the paper leak issue is very clear.
We stand with the students and are fully sympathetic to their legitimate demands. The government is also committed to bringing about comprehensive and fundamental reforms in the education system. This issue is not limited to the leak of a single exam paper.”
“Paper leaks have been occurring at both state and central levels in this country for years. This is a very serious matter because education is the most important means for millions of young Indians to improve their social and economic status," he added.