BJP Criticizes Congress for Double Standards on Student Protests

On Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a pointed critique against the Congress party, accusing them of hypocrisy regarding their stance on student protests. This accusation comes in light of recent actions taken by the Congress-led government in Kerala, which has reportedly filed cases against thousands of individuals involved in demonstrations related to the alleged NEET paper leak. The BJP highlighted the inconsistency in the Congress's reactions, claiming that while they condemn police actions in BJP-ruled states, they remain silent when similar situations arise in their own territories. Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT Cell, specifically noted that nearly 100 individuals, including the rapper Vedan, faced legal repercussions for participating in a gathering supporting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). He pointed out that the leaders of the student movement have not voiced their concerns regarding the actions taken by the Kerala Police, suggesting that their outrage is selective and politically motivated.

Malviya further criticized prominent Congress figures, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, suggesting that their advocacy for student issues is only genuine when it serves their political interests. He stated, "Their hypocrisy is telling. Student issues matter to them only when they can be weaponized for political gain." He emphasized that if the Congress truly cared about students, they would maintain consistent standards regardless of which party is in power. This sentiment was echoed by BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who accused the Congress of having double standards akin to an elephant's teeth—showy yet ineffective. Poonawalla claimed that while many states have dropped charges against peaceful protesters, the Congress government in Kerala has taken a different approach, filing cases against approximately 5,000 individuals involved in the protests. He also noted the Congress's calls for the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET controversy, while failing to demand accountability from education ministers in states where similar incidents have occurred.