New Delhi, 21 July— Apparently force to go on a backfoot by the Cockroach Janata Party’s youth protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today went on a damage control exercise by asking NDA MPs to highlight the achievements of the government at the meeting of the ruling coalition.
With the growing outrage at the police crackdown on the students’ protest in Delhi on Monday grew, Modi is trying his best to defend his chair.
“Today, the entire world is hearing the voice of India’s youth. India is progressing faster than ever,” BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh quoted the prime minister as saying.
“Whether it is our economy, our defence policy, or our welfare schemes, the whole world is appreciating them. Agreements signed with countries across the world will take India further on the path of development,” Chugh told reporters after the NDA meeting.
He said Modi also spoke about India’s growing global stature, asserting that the country’s youth are making their mark worldwide.
After the meeting, which was named ‘Mangal Milan’, Union parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the prime minister told the MPs that the government acted immediately after reports of the paper leak surfaced and 13 people were arrested.
“At the same time, the prime minister said, to ensure that students’ future was not affected, the NEET re-examination was given priority, conducted successfully, and the results were declared without delay,” Rijiju said after the hour-long meeting.
He said the Prime Minister also said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future.
Modi told the NDA MPs that those found involved in the paper leak racket have been arrested and jailed.
The Prime Minister also told the ruling alliance’s MPs that those guilty in paper leaks should be given the strictest possible punishment, with the support of the country’s top lawyers, so that those involved in such a grave offence face exemplary action and such incidents do not recur.
“The Prime Minister said strong action has been taken to ensure that no one plays with future of youth. The Prime Minister also said that to ensure that no future paper leaks take place, all state governments and the Centre must join hands irrespective of party. This is not a matter of party politics but matter of national interests,” Rijiju said.
An opposition leader said that Modi is reminded of strict action against those responsible the mess in the education sector today. What was he doing all these months and years, he asked.
Veteran Journalist and Political Commentator
