During a heated Lok Sabha debate, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of gaining power by inciting anti-Muslim, anti-Dalit, and anti-poor sentiments. He claimed that without Muslims in India, the BJP would not have achieved electoral success. The debate focused on demands for grants for the Education Ministry, with Jawed urging the government to restart schemes for minority students and criticizing what he called discriminatory policies.
Key Accusations and Appeals
- Muslim Contributions: Jawed emphasized the intelligence and contributions of Muslims to Indian society, urging the government not to discriminate against them.
- Educational Policies: He called for the resumption of scholarships and support for minority students, highlighting the decline in Muslim candidates passing the UPSC exams.
- Education System Criticism: Jawed accused the government of dismantling the country’s education infrastructure and pointed to issues like student suicides in Kota and the death of students in a Delhi coaching center.
BJP’s Response and Defense
In response, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya praised the Union Budget and the National Education Policy (NEP), arguing that they empower youth through education and skill development. He countered Jawed’s accusations by stating:
- Budgetary Achievements: Surya highlighted the government’s achievements in education over the past decade, attributing improvements to the NEP.
- Congress Criticism: He accused the Congress of failing to implement the Mandal Commission report and being anti-SC, ST, and OBC.
- Mother Tongue Education: Surya praised the emphasis on providing education in regional languages, which he argued would enhance learning.
Issues Raised in the Debate
- Teacher Shortage: Jawed pointed out the shortage of teachers and claimed that budget allocations for education have decreased from 3.36% of GDP under the UPA government to 2.9% currently.
- Exam Integrity: He criticized the integrity of the National Testing Agency (NTA) due to frequent paper leaks, questioning the government’s competence.
- Infrastructure Concerns: Jawed drew attention to infrastructure issues, citing a leaking roof in Parliament as symbolic of broader governance problems.
Conclusion
The debate in the Lok Sabha showcased sharp divisions between the Congress and BJP over issues of minority rights and education policies. While Jawed accused the BJP of discriminatory practices, Surya defended the government’s record and criticized the Congress for past failures.
