New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister, V.D. Satheesan, on Tuesday joined the ongoing students’ protest in the national Capital, lending his support to the agitation along with the top Congress leadership which had gathered to condemn the police action against the protesting students.
Satheesan, who is in Delhi for meetings with Union Ministers and the Congress high command, visited the protest venue after completing his official engagements.
His participation underlined the Congress party’s decision to stand firmly with the students and their demands.
Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, several Members of Parliament from Kerala and other senior Congress leaders were also present at the protest.
The Chief Minister interacted with the students and expressed solidarity with their agitation.
Congress leaders said the students were raising issues that deserved to be heard and resolved through dialogue.
They also said the right to hold peaceful protests is an important part of democracy.
The protest, launched by the students under the CJP banner, has been continuing in Delhi for the past several days and has drawn support from various political parties and student organisations.
Hundreds of students have been demanding that the Centre address their concerns over repeated NEET paper leaks and take corrective steps like the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The presence of the senior Congress leadership, including Satheesan, gave the protest a strong political dimension.
Party leaders accused the Union government of remaining silent on the issues raised by the students and urged it to respond without delay.
For Satheesan, the visit came in the middle of a busy schedule in the national Capital.
Besides attending meetings with Union Ministers on matters concerning Kerala, he also held discussions with the Congress leadership on organisational and political issues.
His decision to join the protest reflected the Congress’ attempt to link the students’ agitation with its wider campaign on democratic rights and accountability from the NDA government.
With Parliament in session and the protest showing no signs of losing momentum, the Congress is expected to continue raising the issue both inside Parliament and on the streets, while extending support to the students’ movement.
–IANS
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