Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday defended the government’s swift action in regard to NEET paper leaks but also underlined the need to “win the trust of the youth”, a day after thousands, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), marched towards Parliament demanding action against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
During a crucial meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at Parliament, sources said, PM Modi also suggested a national outreach among students on the issue, led by members of Parliament, and promised the strictest possible action against those involved in the NEET paper leaks.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister also called for a “foolproof system” to prevent future leaks at the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting with leaders from across the alliance’s constituencies in attendance.
“On the NEET examination, the Prime Minister said the government acted immediately after reports of the paper leak surfaced, and 13 people were arrested and sent to jail. At the same time, to ensure that students’ future was not affected, the NEET re-examination was given priority, conducted successfully, and the results were declared without delay,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said after the meeting.
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“The Prime Minister also said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future. Those found involved in the paper leak racket have been arrested and jailed. He appealed that they 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,” he added.
Rijiju added that PM Modi also noted that the issue is not limited to the states or the Centre, and called for collaboration to prevent such incidents.
“He said that this is a matter of the nation…not political partisanship since it concerns the future of the youth,” he added.
According to sources present at the meeting, PM Modi pointed out that while the exam incident created inconvenience for children, not only did the reexamination take place without delay, but the government also fielded “dhurandar” (expert) lawyers to ensure strict punishment for the culprits.
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Sources added that the PM was unequivocal in stating that there should be no injustice to students and that, while it was “easy to misguide them, difficult to show them the right path”.
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A source said “some have ganged up to mislead them” in a seeming reference to Opposition parties, in regard to the protests around the issue.
“He said we have to win the trust of the youth and will not let anything bad or injustice happen to them, asking the MPs to reach out to them and promising that the accused will be taken to task,” the source added.
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On Monday, thousands of protesters from across the country joined the CJP protest and marched towards Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session to press for their demands. As they gathered in the heart of Delhi, the police tried to stop them, leading to violence.
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More than 200 people, including more than 100 police officers, were injured as the police used batons and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
The police registered five FIRs and launched an investigation into whether the violence was part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt peace in the national capital.
PM lauds Skyroot’s rocket launch
At the NDA meeting, the Prime Minister lauded Skyroot Aerospace’s successful rocket launch and projected it as an example for the brilliance of the young entrepreneurs and their Start Ups. He also used it take a swipe on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, sources said. Pointing out that the Skyroot’s success belong to young innovators below 30, he is learnt to have said “imagine what would be their contribution at the age of 56 years unlike many others we see around us”
Asserting that the accused in the NEET exam leak scam should be taken into task, Modi said “dhurandar lawyers” should ensure that they get “exemplary punishment” and that the students get justice.
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He urged the NDA MPs to reach out to students to “guide them to the right path”. MPs have been asked to make it sure that they have good communication with the youths in their respective constituencies