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Modi govt responded to students' courage with 'cowardice, wanton cruelty': Sonia Gandhi slams Centre
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Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, in an op-ed, accused the Modi government of responding to student protests over paper leaks with ‘cowardice and wanton cruelty.’ She alleged police brutality, demanded accountability and education reforms.File image of Congress MP Sonia Gandhi(PTI)Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government, saying that students demanded accountability and educational reforms, but the Modi government has responded to their courage with "cowardice and wanton cruelty, treating them not as inheritors of the future but as enemies of the nation".In an op-ed published on Friday, Gandhi accused the Centre of degrading the country's educational landscape and asserted that the students have called out the regime's bluff, news agency PTI reported.In her article titled 'An Education System's Collapse, Young India's Trauma,' she noted, "The student protests are a natural consequence of these interrelated forces: today's bleak education landscape, which evokes only hopelessness, and the Modi government's trademark arrogance and unwillingness to be accountable or constructive."Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSSonia Gandhi criticized the Modi government for responding to student protests with 'cowardice and wanton cruelty,' viewing students as enemies rather than the future of the nation.Sonia Gandhi termed 20 July as a day of infamy because, on that day, the Delhi Police and Central Armed Forces violently suppressed student protesters with lathi-charges and tear gas.The Modi government announced the establishment of fast-track courts and stricter penalties for those involved in paper leaks, aiming to ensure swift justice and accountability.Student protesters have demanded accountability from the government, educational reforms, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide.Many believe the Modi government should adopt a more constructive approach by engaging in dialogue with students and addressing their concerns rather than resorting to repression.Further, she emphasised that it is a moral, political, and constitutional duty to stand with students to protect their future.Sonia Gandhi slams police brutality against protestersShe claimed that the 'brutality' perpetrated by the Delhi Police against student protesters, which she said follows direct orders from the Union Home Minister, is hardly unprecedented for this regime. Elaborating further, Gandhi said, "We all remember vividly how armed policemen and paramilitary forces ravaged university campuses during the Citizenship (Amendment) Act-National Register of Citizens protests in 2020. The unacceptable excesses against India's women wrestlers can never be erased from our memories."She alleged that the Modi government is not just responsible for degrading the country's education landscape but has also made a habit of acting with "utter impunity, supreme self-delusion, and abject insensitivity."The Congress leader accused the PM Modi-led Central government of routinely choosing violence over dialogue. She went on to say that the government's pattern is clear, from farmers to activists, and added, "But this week, even a government as insensitive as the one that has set new standards of authoritarian governance sank to a new low. Instead of reaching out with understanding to our future doctors and engineers, teachers and civil servants, entrepreneurs and nation builders, it unleashed the repressive power of the state on them. This can neither be forgiven nor forgotten."Sonia Gandhi on students' protestsGandhi highlighted that peaceful protests by students against paper leaks and a decline in the education system have been gaining momentum across the country in recent weeks. She described the demands made by students as straightforward, which include accountability from the government and education r
Hyderabad school dismissed a mother teacher who gave religious homework to Class 2 students. The school management also blacklisted the teacher from any future employment opportunity at its institutions.Hyderabad school dismissed teacher for giving religious homework to students. (Representative image)(REUTERS)A Hyderabad school recently issued a termination order for a teacher who allegedly gave religious homework to Class 2 students, ANI reported. The accused identified as Shaik Aisha Parveen was employed at Success – The School located in Sayeedabad. In the aftermath of the incident, the school authorities permanently disqualified the mother teacher from future employment opportunities in the Success Group of Education Institutions.The letter dated 15 July states, "Further you are informed that you are permanently disqualified to apply for employment in future in the Success Group of Education Institutions." The management took action after a formal complaint was lodged at the Sayeedabad, ANI reported.Outraged by the incident, BJP workers protested outside the school premises who were ultimately detained by Hyderabad police.As per media reports, the Class 2 Hindu student was asked to recite and memorize the Kalma and Surah Fatiha for homework. The school management initially termed the incident a mistake, citing that the child was in a section where Deeniyath (Islamic teachings) is usually taught to Muslim students.A local news report suggests that the teacher had given the “Read Sura Fatiha” homework on 15 July which was mentioned in the school diary under the subject ‘Deeniyath’. This came four days after the homework ‘Read Kalma' was given but was struck off later.According to the management, majority of the students in the school are Muslims, who have to study Deeniyath subject. However, the subject is not taught to non-Muslim students. Notably, ‘Kalma’ is the Islamic declaration of faith and testimony, and ‘Surah Fatiha’ is the first chapter of the Holy Quran.Parents, political workers question school managementWhen parents complained and protested against the religious teaching, the management acknowledged that it was an inadvertent mistake and took the action of dismissing the services of the teacher.Independent MLA T Raja Singh Lodh reacted to the incident and sought Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's strict action against schools which are forcing Hindu children to recite ‘Kalma’.Condemning the incident, the former BJP MLA said, “This is not the first such case in Telangana; there have been several similar incidents in the past. Yesterday, when the parents of the child went to the school and questioned the management about how they could pressure their Hindu child to recite the Kalma, the school authorities had no answer,” IANS reported.Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Thursday slammed the school management, accusing them of a “forceful attack on Hindu culture.”Terming such incidents as unacceptable, he said, “They have become arrogant and are forcefully attacking Hindu culture. Issuing an order asking students to recite the Kalma and Surah Fatiha is unacceptable. Why are the so-called secular organisations remaining silent? The entire Hindu community should strongly condemn this,” ANI reported citing the statement issued through his office.Sanjay Kumar raised demands for immediate and strict action against the school management. Warning about proliferation of such incidents across the state in case of inaction, he said, "If this issue is ignored, there is a risk that such incidents could spread across Telangana," he added.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsIndiaHyderabad school dismisses teacher who asked Class 2 students to recite and memorize ‘Kalma, Surah Fatiha’More
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