MP Chandra Shekhar Azad continues sit-in protest in Parliament over student exam irregularities

Nagina MP Chandra Shekhar Azad of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) continued his sit-in protest on the Parliament premises on Tuesday, demanding action over alleged irregularities in the examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Azad, who spent the night near the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar within the Parliament complex, expressed solidarity with students protesting against the alleged paper leak. He said, “The brutality inflicted on children and girls at Jantar Mantar today deeply shook me. I didn’t witness the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, but the scenes that unfolded today certainly reminded me of that dark chapter in history. In a democracy, expressing one’s views peacefully is a constitutional right of every citizen. If that right is met with the use of force, it is an attack not only on a few individuals but also on democratic values.”

Mr. Azad stated that his peaceful democratic struggle would continue until justice is ensured and appropriate action is taken. He urged the government to initiate a dialogue with the students and address their grievances.

The protest received support from Hanuman Beniwal, Lok Sabha MP from Nagaur, Rajasthan, and leader of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP). Mr. Beniwal posted on X, “After the lathi charge on young colleagues at the behest of the government in Delhi, Mr. Azad is sitting on a dharna in front of the statue of Constitution maker Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ji Ambedkar in the Parliament House premises, demanding justice. Today, I also met him. During this, Lok Sabha MP from Banswara, Rajasthan, Rajkumar Ji Roat were also present. The Union government will have to answer the country for every single blow used on the youth; dictatorship is not acceptable in democracy.”