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The Economic Times
The Economic Times

Congress slams Modi government over DU, JNU 'warning' students to stay away from Jantar Mantar

New Delhi: With the Delhi University and the Jawaharlal University warning students to "stay away" from Jantar Mantar protests, the Congress on Friday slammed the Modi government and said that it is now using these much-respected universities as propaganda outlets to bully the students.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that instead of making Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign and then start a meaningful discussion on the education system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have resorted to denigrating the centres of learning.

Also Read: Mandi House and Central Secretariat metro stations reopen amid protest-related restrictions across central Delhi

He said students are on ground zero because the Modi government is now using these much-respected universities as propaganda outlets to bully them.

"Instead of making Dharmendra Pradhan resign and then start a meaningful discussion on the education system, Modi-Shah have resorted to denigrating our centres of learning. Now you know why our youth are on the streets. Now you know how BJP damaged the education system in the past 12 years," Kharge said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the Delhi University and asked how dare it "threaten" students for exercising their democratic rights.

Also Read: Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL seeking NIA probe into CJP's Parliament march

"Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes," Gandhi said, tagging the Delhi University social media post advising students to "stay away from Jantar Mantar".

"How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes," Gandhi said in his post.

Their remarks came after the University of Delhi posted on Thursday night, "Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action."

Such activities can also pose serious risks to students' personal safety and significantly impact their academic progress and professional opportunities, the university said.

"Accordingly, all students are urged to stay away from Jantar Mantar and prioritise their safety and compliance with the law. Furthermore, you are advised to exercise caution as a significant amount of fake and misleading content is being created and circulated to fuel the situation," it said.

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