Sambit Patra Slams Opposition Over Paper Leaks, Questions Silence On Karnataka And Jharkhand

BJP MP Sambit Patra launched a scathing attack on the opposition on Tuesday regarding the issue of paper leaks, while during a press conference, Patra accused the Congress party and the INDIA alliance of maintaining a double standard and selective outrage. He specifically questioned why the opposition remains silent on the paper leak incidents occurring in Karnataka and Jharkhand. Patra pointed out that while the opposition creates a ruckus on certain issues, they choose to ignore the plight of students in states where they or their allies are in power.

Selective Outrage and Double Standards

Sambit Patra stated that the Congress party is exhibiting a dual attitude. He mentioned that in Jharkhand, thousands of students are protesting daily through social media against irregularities in examinations. Despite this widespread unrest, the Congress party has not uttered a single word in support of the protesting students in Jharkhand. Patra further noted that the opposition isn't raising this issue in Parliament because their outrage is selective and aimed solely at gaining political mileage rather than addressing the actual concerns of the youth.

Disruption of Parliamentary Proceedings

Commenting on the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, the BJP MP highlighted the massive expenditure involved in running a session. He lamented that since the beginning of the session, there has been no Question Hour. Patra attributed this to the behavior of the Congress and certain parties within the INDIA alliance. He stated that almost no bills are being discussed because of the constant disruptions, which he believes is a deliberate attempt to stall the functioning of the legislature.

Controversy in Karnataka

The BJP MP also targeted Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge over his controversial remarks. Patra recalled that when students protested against the paper leak in the Karnataka Police Constable recruitment and asked if the minister would take responsibility, Kharge's response was shocking. Kharge reportedly said that the students should first go on a hunger strike for 25 days, after which the government would resort to a lathi charge, and only then would he consider resigning. Patra questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence on this matter, suggesting that the Congress leadership is ignoring the high-handedness of its own ministers while pretending to champion student rights elsewhere.

Investigation into JPSC Irregularities

The situation in Jharkhand has also come under intense scrutiny. Former Chairman of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), L. Khiangte, was interrogated by CID officials on Monday for approximately 7 hours regarding alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the commission. This marked the fourth round of questioning for the former chairman. Previously, the CID had questioned Khiangte for 9 hours on July 28, and for 8 hours each on July 29 and July 31. Khiangte had resigned from his post as JPSC Chairman on July 22 following the allegations of discrepancies in the state public service examinations. He had been appointed to the position last year in February after retiring from the post of State Chief Secretary.

Student Protests in Ranchi

In Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, students have been staging a protest against the alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. Student leader Devendranath Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike to demand a thorough investigation, while the protesters are demanding that the probe into the JPSC and JSSC examination irregularities be handed over to the CBI instead of the CID to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry and to take strict action against those responsible. The demonstrators have been sitting on an indefinite strike at a stadium since July 29, highlighting the growing frustration among the youth over the examination system in the state.