JPC must probe paper leak: Youth Congress chief

Kolhapur: Demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into alleged examination paper leaks, All India Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib on Monday questioned the Centre’s stand, saying the future of millions of students cannot be left to a govt-led investigation alone.

“If Dharmendra Pradhan is innocent, why is he afraid of the JPC? A JPC should be constituted for a fair and transparent investigation into the paper leak. When the future of millions of students is at stake, the investigation cannot be left to the govt alone. Opposition, judiciary and the partnership of all parties should come togather,” Chib said while addressing a gathering in Kolhapur.

He was speaking after leading a candlelight protest march from Shahu Samadhi Sthal to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, which saw participation from MLC Satej Patil, former MLA Ruturaj Patil, Congress corporators and a large number of students.

Chib also linked the fire at the education ministry’s building in Delhi to the ongoing controversy over alleged leaks. “This fire didn’t just break out in the Ministry of Education by itself. Think about it: Just as the demand for investigation into paper leaks and education scams intensified, how did the fire break out in the ministry at the exact same time? No matter how hard you try to save Dharmendra Pradhan, the youth of the country already knows the truth. Evidence may burn, but the shattered futures of millions of students will continue to bear witness. A paper leak is not just a scam of one exam; it is an attack on the years of hard work of millions of students and their parents,” he said.

Chib also cautioned against divisive politics. “Politics in the name of religion is the biggest threat to the country. Religion is meant to uplift people, not to strip them of their rights or mislead them. Those who divide the public in the name of religion neither understand the spirit of the Constitution nor the message of Lord Ram. The country needs justice and unity, not hatred,” he added.

Chib attended an event where six lakh notebooks donated by people were distributed on the occasion of MLC Satej Patil’s birthday.