Protest Against NEET Paper Leak Is About Future Of India, Says CM DK Shivakumar
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar also questioned the use of force against protesting students in New Delhi and elsewhere
Protest against NEET paper leak is about future of India: CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jul 23 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, saying the issue concerned the future of the country's youth.He demanded accountability for repeated examination irregularities.
Shivakumar also questioned the use of force against protesting students in New Delhi and elsewhere.
He called for a discussion in Parliament.
Shivakumar had participated in the NEET protest in New Delhi along with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said every citizen was concerned about children's future and maintained that students had every democratic right to protest against alleged examination malpractices.
He also urged the Centre to accept responsibility.
"Our children are our future. Question papers have reportedly been leaked on more than 100 occasions. If we fail to maintain quality, if question paper leaks continue to happen like this, and if nobody takes responsibility for them, then who should be held accountable?" Shivakumar said.
He said India was recognised globally as a talent hub and warned that repeated examination leaks could damage the country's reputation.
"The youth of the entire country, and indeed the whole world, are thinking about the future of India's young people because India is a talent hub. Everyone acknowledges that the kind of talent we possess cannot be found anywhere else in the world," he said.
Questioning the police action against protesters, Shivakumar said everyone has the right to protest in a democracy.
Referring to the violence during the protest, Shivakumar said he was not justifying any act of violence but insisted that legal action should be taken in accordance with the law.
Calling the controversy a national issue rather than a political one, the Chief Minister said, "This concerns the future of the country's youth. This is the voice of the youth. Their future is at stake. Why are you trying to cover it up?"
On the proposed Cabinet expansion in Karnataka, Shivakumar said the exercise would take place soon. PTI GMS ROH
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday backed the nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, saying the issue concerned the future of the country's youth. He demanded accountability for repeated examination irregularities.
Shivakumar also questioned the use of force against protesting students in New Delhi and elsewhere.
He called for a discussion in Parliament.
Shivakumar had participated in the NEET protest in New Delhi along with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said every citizen was concerned about children's future and maintained that students had every democratic right to protest against alleged examination malpractices.
He also urged the Centre to accept responsibility.
"Our children are our future. Question papers have reportedly been leaked on more than 100 occasions. If we fail to maintain quality, if question paper leaks continue to happen like this, and if nobody takes responsibility for them, then who should be held accountable?" Shivakumar said.
He said India was recognised globally as a talent hub and warned that repeated examination leaks could damage the country's reputation.
"The youth of the entire country, and indeed the whole world, are thinking about the future of India's young people because India is a talent hub. Everyone acknowledges that the kind of talent we possess cannot be found anywhere else in the world," he said.
Questioning the police action against protesters, Shivakumar said everyone has the right to protest in a democracy.
Referring to the violence during the protest, Shivakumar said he was not justifying any act of violence but insisted that legal action should be taken in accordance with the law.
Calling the controversy a national issue rather than a political one, the Chief Minister said, "This concerns the future of the country's youth. This is the voice of the youth. Their future is at stake. Why are you trying to cover it up?"
On the proposed Cabinet expansion in Karnataka, Shivakumar said the exercise would take place soon.
