Kolkata, July 24 (IANS) Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a four-time Lok Sabha MP from Barasat in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, and one of the 20 former Trinamool Congress parliamentarians who recently joined the Tripura-based Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), on Friday issued a guarded statement on the ongoing nationwide protests over the NEET examination paper leak.
In a social media statement, Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar expressed support for the legitimate concerns of NEET aspirants and called for meaningful reforms to ensure a fair, transparent and student-centric examination system. She said systemic shortcomings must be addressed to restore confidence in the examination process.
“Our students deserve a fair, transparent, and student-centric examination system. I therefore demand meaningful education reforms that address systemic shortcomings, ensure equity, and restore confidence in the process,” Ghosh Dastidar said in her statement.
While backing students’ demands, she also voiced concern over incidents of violence and the possibility of external elements attempting to exploit the agitation and disturb public order. She urged the Union Government, state governments, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Parliament to take the issue seriously and initiate prompt corrective measures.
“At the same time, I express deep concern over any instances of violence and the possible role of external influences that seek to disrupt peace and exploit the situation. However, the genuine demands raised by the students must be respected and addressed with sincerity and urgency. The voice of our youth cannot be ignored. I call upon all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, justice, and the future of our students above all else,” Ghosh Dastidar’s social media statement read.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said his government would not obstruct democratic protests over the issue and could even organise rallies. However, he warned that any anti-national slogans or activities during such demonstrations would invite immediate action.
“If any anti-national slogan is raised anywhere in the procession, I will take immediate action. The country got its independence in 1947. So Azadi slogans will not be tolerated. The protesters have a democratic right to raise slogans. We will not stop that. If there is anything anti-national, leave it to me. I will completely uproot the anti-national forces from West Bengal. Be careful,” the Chief Minister said.
–IANS
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