Shashi Tharoor Criticizes PM Modi's 'Delayed' Response to Paper Leak with Poetry

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday took a poetic swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on paper leak cases, using a famous couplet by Pakistani Urdu poet Munir Niazi to suggest that the government's response had come too late. Responding to the Prime Minister's action plan aimed at safeguarding the "future and welfare" of the country's youth, the Thiruvananthapuram MP posted on X: "Hamesha der kar deta hoon main har kaam karne mein, Zaroori baat kehni ho, koi vaada nibhana ho."

Through the couplet, Tharoor criticised what the Congress has described as the Centre's delayed response to the ongoing student protests triggered by the NEET paper leak in May. With the post, the Thiruvananthapuram MP joined other Congress leaders in attacking the Centre, choosing poetry as a vehicle for his criticism.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi directly addressed students over the paper leak controversy, announcing a series of measures and promising "swift and stringent punishment" for those responsible. He posted, "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students." The PM added: "Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared."

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party has continued its sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for over a month, while scientist and activist Sonam Wangchuk remained on a hunger strike that entered its 26th day on Thursday.