Naveen Patnaik urges Centre to hold dialogue with students over exam reforms
Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday called on the central government to initiate a dialogue with students who have been protesting peacefully for reforms in the examination process. He also urged Parliament to take up the issue for debate.
In a post on social media platform X, Patnaik expressed concern over the loss of trust in the education system. “India too has made remarkable progress because of the strength of its education system. It has nurtured generations of brilliant doctors, scientists, engineers, teachers, and innovators who have shaped modern India. Today, however, trust in this system stands broken. The damage goes far beyond a failed exam,” he said.
Patnaik emphasised the importance of a credible examination system, stating that for millions of children, education is the only path to a brighter future. “It (mismanagement of education system) shatters faith in the very foundation of education system. It tells deserving students that hard work no longer matters, and robs them of their only ladder out of poverty,” he wrote.
The veteran politician called for a thorough parliamentary debate on the issue. “A nation that compromises the integrity of its examination system, compromises its own future. This grave issue, affecting millions of students across the country, must be taken up in Parliament as the highest priority. It deserves a thorough debate in the temple of our democracy, leading to concrete reforms that ensure paper leaks, flawed assessments, and systemic failures are never repeated. Accountability must also be fixed for this lapse of trust,” Patnaik said.
He urged the government to engage with student protesters. “Politics aside, I urge the government to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the students who have been peacefully protesting for days. They must be given a platform to express their views. A vibrant democracy advances through dialogue, not silence and this dialogue is most vital when it involves the youth of the nation,” he pointed out.
Patnaik concluded by reiterating the BJD's support for students. “The children and young people of India are looking to us for leadership. We cannot fail them. Sincere, open-minded dialogue with the peaceful youth protestors will help restore faith in our democracy, in our education system, and in the leadership entrusted with shaping their future. The BJD stands firmly with the youth and students of the country,” he said.
Patnaik's remarks come amid ongoing protests led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is recovering at Delhi's Safdarjung hospital after a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Wangchuk had earlier announced plans to march to Parliament when the Monsoon Session begins on Monday. In Odisha, the BJD has staged multiple demonstrations demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
