BJP's development model aimed at snatching right to education from poor children: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the BJP's development model is one that is aimed at snatching the right to education from the poor, especially SC, ST and OBC children.
The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha shared on Facebook screenshots of some media reports.
One media report claimed that the number of government schools declined by 8 per cent but private schools increased by 14.9 per cent in the decade from 2014-15 to 2023-24, while another claimed that the enrolment of SC students in 2023-24 compared to previous fiscal year fell by 16.2 lakh students, while enrolment of ST students and OBC students declined by 5.1 lakh and 38.5 lakh respectively during this period.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi alleged that the "BJP's development model is a model to snatch the right to education from the poor, especially SC, ST and OBC children".
"More than 5,000 government schools are being closed in Uttar Pradesh. Since 2014, 84,441 government schools have been closed across the country, most of which have been closed in three BJP-ruled states - Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam," he said.
"This is not just closing schools, but a direct attack on the right to education given in the Constitution and the historic law of the UPA government, which brought every child from every village to school and led to a historic increase in enrolment," Gandhi said.
Babasaheb Ambedkar had stated that education is the milk of a lioness and whoever drinks it will roar, but today education itself is being snatched away, he alleged.
"Students and teachers are on the streets against the decision to close schools, but instead of listening to their voice, the government is busy harassing them and weakening the education system further. Whereas the need is to strengthen it and provide equal, accessible and quality education to every child," Gandhi said.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
