Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge hits back at PM Modi over criticism and student protest

NEW DELHI: Congress president and leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has launched a scathing attack on PM Modi on Monday over his vieled criticism of Rahul Gandhi. He condemned the police baton charge on students at Jantar Mantar and demanded accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kharge responded to PM Modi's veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi, in which the Prime Minister praised young innovators while saying he was "not talking about any 56-year-old 'youngster.'" "PM Modi's only job is to taunt others and make snide remarks. First, prove your own credibility to the people. Where did that '56-inch chest' of yours go?" Kharge said. He accused the PM of deflecting from governance failures. "You criticise others today, but I ask: what have you actually done for the country? You told your followers to form a trust so they could engage in theft, and now they are stealing rampantly. You enacted the laws and nominated the people for the Ram Mandir Trust, and your own people are involved in it." He also condemned the statements made by the PM, “Every Prime Minister talks about resolving problems, not making remarks that invite ridicule later. I condemn this statement, and PM Modi should refrain from making such comments in the future” Kharge also raised the issue of alleged examination irregularities, saying lakhs of students were in distress. "Who is responsible for destroying their lives? The Modi government and PM Modi himself. He does these things just to hide his own weaknesses." "As long as they remain, the country won't see prosperity. Prosperity will only come once they are gone," he said.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day as opposition called out the government for suppressing the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar, where thousands had gathered demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. "I am talking about the future of lakhs of students. For that, thousands of children have come to Jantar Mantar. There has been a baton charge. The government is trying to hurt them. It is trying to suppress them," Kharge said amid sloganeering. Thousands gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday ahead of the CJP's planned march to Parliament to demand Pradhan's resignation. Police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the crowd and denied permission for the march, imposing prohibitory orders across much of New Delhi.