Tripura BJP minister Sushanta Chowdhury backed the Jharkhand student protest and accused the Congress-JMM government of double standards over recruitment demands. He also targeted Rahul Gandhi, alleging selective support for student movements and questioning his silence on the Ranchi protests.
Quick Glance:
- Sushanta Chowdhury extended BJP’s moral support to protesting Jharkhand students.
- He accused the Congress-JMM government and Rahul Gandhi of selective politics over student issues.
- The JPSC-JSSC row has now expanded into a wider Assembly and Parliament confrontation.
Agartala, August 11: Tourism Minister of Tripura Sushanta Chowdhury has backed the ongoing student protest in Jharkhand and launched a verbal attack targeting Congress Party’s Rahul Gandhi and State secretary of Tripura CPIM. He also accused the Congress-JMM government of adopting “double standards” on democratic movements and recruitment-related grievances.
Chowdhury elaborated on the issue and stand point of the BJP at a press conference in Agartala today at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee auditorium at Kushabhau Bhavan, the BJP’s Tripura state headquarters.
The minister said the BJP stands with the students protesting in Jharkhand. He described their demands as democratic and linked to the future of the younger generation.
According to Chowdhury, the students are demanding a transparent recruitment system and a corruption-free administration. He urged the Jharkhand government to engage with the protesters and resolve their grievances.
“We stand with the movement of the students of Jharkhand and extend our moral support,” Chowdhury said.
He called upon the Congress-JMM government to accept the students’ demands and demonstrate its goodwill.
Sushanta Chowdhury Accuses Congress of Double Standards
Chowdhury’s main criticism was directed at what he described as Congress’ “double standards” on student protests.
He argued that democratic rights should not depend on which political party governs a state.
The BJP minister referred to student movements in different parts of the country. He alleged that Congress had adopted different positions in Delhi, West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand and Kerala based on its political interests.
“Delhi has one policy, Bengal another, Tripura another, Jharkhand another and Kerala yet another,” he said.
Chowdhury claimed that such an approach was gradually distancing Congress from the people.
He also questioned the treatment of Jharkhand students compared with students who had participated in similar protests elsewhere.
According to him, students raising concerns about recruitment, corruption and their future should receive equal consideration from governments and political parties.
Rahul Gandhi Comes Under Attack
Chowdhury also launched a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi.
He alleged that the Congress leader had been vocal about the NEET-UG question paper leak controversy but had remained silent over the student movement in Ranchi.
Chowdhury said Rahul Gandhi should publicly raise the Jharkhand students’ concerns if he was genuinely concerned about their future.
He also questioned why Gandhi had not taken a stronger position against the Congress’ alliance partner in Jharkhand.
“ If Rahul Gandhi is genuinely concerned about the students’ demands, he should speak against the Jharkhand government and pressure it to accept their demands,” Chowdhury said.
The BJP minister accused Gandhi of seeking political mileage from student movements.
His remarks come amid a growing political dispute over the treatment of students protesting recruitment-related issues in Jharkhand.
NEET-UG Row Becomes Part of BJP’s Argument
Chowdhury also brought the NEET-UG question paper leak controversy into his argument.
He said the Narendra Modi government had taken steps to strengthen measures against examination malpractice and question paper leaks.
According to Chowdhury, strict punishment is necessary when examination papers are leaked because such incidents directly affect students’ careers.
He also alleged that Congress had sought to create unrest across the country by politicising the NEET-UG issue.
The BJP minister contrasted Congress’ position on the NEET-UG controversy with its response to the Jharkhand student movement.
He claimed that the Opposition had not cooperated adequately on measures aimed at preventing examination-related corruption.
Chowdhury Questions Tripura LoP
The Tripura BJP leader also questioned the role of Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury.
He said the Opposition leader had travelled to Delhi but asked why he had not visited Ranchi to meet the protesting students.
Chowdhury argued that political leaders should rise above party interests when students raise issues concerning their careers and future.
He said democratic movements should be assessed on their merits rather than through a political lens.
He also urged the media to maintain neutrality while reporting on student protests.
According to Chowdhury, constitutional values and students’ democratic rights should receive priority during such movements.
BJP Calls for Immediate Dialogue
Chowdhury reiterated that the BJP would continue to provide moral support to the Jharkhand students.
He urged the Congress-JMM government to hold dialogue with the protesters and address their concerns without delay.
The minister said the government should take the demands seriously and initiate steps towards a solution.
He also raised allegations about the treatment of protesters, including claims of police excesses and harassment during the demonstrations.
Chowdhury maintained that a peaceful democratic movement aimed at protecting students’ futures should not become a political confrontation.
The national political dispute now involves competing allegations over student rights, recruitment transparency, police action and the functioning of Parliament.
For Chowdhury, however, the central issue remains the Jharkhand students’ demands.
He said governments and political parties should ensure that students receive a fair opportunity, transparent recruitment and protection of their democratic rights, irrespective of political affiliations.
