New Delhi. Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Shashi Tharoor launched a scathing attack on the central government on Monday. Both leaders accused the government of shying away from discussing important public issues in Parliament. While Priyanka Gandhi condemned the failure of the education policy and the use of force against students, Shashi Tharoor demanded that the House raise burning issues such as alleged irregularities in donations for the Ayodhya temple and the NEET exam paper leak.
Expressing her displeasure with the government’s attitude, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “We have been demanding a discussion, but the government is unwilling to listen.” Pointing to the problems in the education system, she said that when students are raising their voices for their future, the government is resorting to tear gas and lathi charge. She questioned the government as to why they are subjecting their own children to such violent behavior.
Shashi Tharoor expressed deep anger over the lathicharge on protesters on Parliament Street. He said that the use of force by security forces against a non-violent protest was a completely violent act, defying all logic. Tharoor questioned why those peacefully expressing their views were being crushed with batons. He clarified that Parliament is a place where public concerns should be raised, not simply where government agendas are passed like rubber stamps.
Shashi Tharoor, highlighting the parliamentary deadlock, said the government should be willing to listen to the opposition. He said the opposition can cooperate only if the government also allows room for discussion, as democracy functions through consensus and negotiation. Tharoor warned that if Parliament is not a platform for raising public issues, then what is its purpose. He demanded that the government allow debate on NEET and other sensitive issues so that the country can know the truth.
