Union Minister Jitendra Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of not ending the protest despite the government agreeing to meet his demand.
Here’s the full text of his post on X.
“Some time ago, it came to light that the Congress Party’s national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other senior leaders with him, such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and others, suddenly sat down for a sit-in protest near Akbar Road at a location with their supporters. In view of the dignity of this senior delegation, the government sent me personally, along with the Union Home Secretary, Shri Govind Mohan, to the spot to hold talks with these senior leaders. A request was made to Shri Rahul Gandhi to end his sit-in, as this site is not meant for protests, and holding a sit-in here is causing considerable inconvenience to the general public. Shri Rahul Gandhi put forward the demand that if the government agrees to discuss in Parliament all issues related to NEET and the associated movement, he would immediately end his sit-in. Within a few moments, after taking permission from the government’s top leadership, Shri Rahul Gandhi was assured that his demand has been accepted, and the government is ready to discuss in Parliament all issues related to NEET and the associated movement.
When this information was conveyed to Shri Rahul Gandhi, he said that he would not agree to this alone but also sought assurance for the resignation of the Union Education Minister. He said that now I have two demands: discussion in Parliament and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. When he was reminded that earlier he had only demanded discussion, he said that now my demands have changed. When an attempt was made to humbly explain to him that for a senior leader like him to backtrack from his word so quickly does not befit him, he said that it is his prerogative. When the Home Secretary tried to explain that this site is not suitable for a sit-in, his response was that it is also his prerogative to sit wherever he wants.
For a senior leader like Shri Rahul Gandhi and the Leader of the Opposition to go back on his word is unfortunate and contrary to every norm of democracy. The government is ready to discuss in Parliament all issues related to NEET and the associated movement. In contrast, the Congress Party has not given any notice to date for a formal discussion on this serious matter as per rules. Shri Rahul Gandhi’s behavior does not align with the principles of democracy.”
