BJP Accuses Congress of Selective Outrage Over Exam Irregularities
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the Congress party and its allies of adopting double standards on the issue of examination irregularities, pointing to their silence on student protests in Jharkhand and controversial remarks by Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge defending police action against demonstrators.
Speaking to reporters, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that while Congress and its allies have been vocal about the NEET paper leak and have disrupted Parliament proceedings over the matter, they have remained conspicuously quiet on similar incidents in states where the Congress is in power.
“No Congress MP is seen holding a placard on the Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination paper leak issue. This is selective outrage driven only by political interests,” Patra said.
Patra also targeted Priyank Kharge, son of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, for remarks he made during protests in Karnataka over examination irregularities. Responding to a question about whether he would take responsibility for the issue, the younger Kharge had said that students should first go on a hunger strike and face lathi-charge before he would consider resigning. He defended the police action, stating it was necessary to ensure the exam proceeded without disruption.
Patra contrasted this with the senior Kharge’s participation in the Rajya Sabha debate on similar issues. “Mallikarjun Kharge had spoken for hours on the same issue in Rajya Sabha, which was welcome because at least the matter was discussed. However, when his own son made such an insensitive and inhuman statement, he, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress remained silent,” Patra said.
The BJP leader also criticised the opposition INDIA bloc for stalling legislative business in Parliament. “Hardly any bill is being discussed. The reason is the conduct of the INDIA bloc. I am surprised by their double standards,” he added.
The controversy comes amid ongoing protests and political sparring over the NEET-UG paper leak, which has led to widespread student demonstrations and multiple legal challenges. The opposition has been demanding a discussion in Parliament and action against those responsible, while the government has maintained that the matter is being investigated thoroughly.
The BJP’s remarks highlight the growing political confrontation over the handling of examination irregularities, with both sides accusing each other of using the issue for partisan gain.
