HYDERABAD: Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Thursday accused the Congress and Left parties of exploiting students for political gains, alleging that the recent protests in Delhi and other parts of the country were politically motivated and backed by “anti-national forces.”
Addressing the media in New Delhi, Kishan Reddy described the protests as “unfortunate” and claimed that anti-national elements were using students as a shield to destabilise the country.
He questioned whether Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi still remembered the Congress government’s promise to release a job calendar in Telangana.
Targeting BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, the Union minister asked him to explain how many examination paper leaks had occurred during the previous BRS regime. “With what moral authority is KTR preaching to us today? Wasn’t he a minister when those leaks occurred?” he asked.
Kishan Reddy also criticised the Congress, alleging that several examination paper leaks had taken place during previous Congress governments. He questioned how many ministers had resigned in those instances and asked whether Rahul Gandhi and the Congress had the moral authority to demand resignations now. He said Rahul Gandhi should first examine the number of question paper leaks that occurred during Congress rule before criticising the BJP-led Union government.
Referring to the NEET examination controversy, the Union minister acknowledged that irregularities had occurred, prompting the Centre to order a re-examination. He said the government acted promptly after the paper leak came to light while exercising restraint in the interest of students.
Kishan Reddy said 17 persons had been arrested in connection with the NEET paper leak and that the re-examination was conducted under stringent security arrangements. He added that the Centre was treating the matter with utmost seriousness and had announced the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure swift action against those responsible.
Maintaining that resignation alone was not the solution, he said the government’s priority was to ensure justice, strengthen the examination system and protect the future of students.
