BJP's Rohan Gupta slams Opposition's 'selective activism' on Jharkhand paper leak
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rohan Gupta on Monday accused the Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) of practising 'selective activism' over the Jharkhand paper leak controversy, asserting that the entire country — including students — is closely watching their response. Speaking from Ahmedabad, Gupta alleged that the opposition's silence on the Jharkhand issue exposes political motives over genuine concern for students.
The Jharkhand Paper Leak Charge
Gupta challenged the opposition parties directly, questioning why their protests were confined to Delhi while Jharkhand — where a paper leak has allegedly disrupted student examinations — received no such attention. 'They were actively doing politics in Delhi, but I want to ask the Congress, AAP and CJP: is Jharkhand not a part of the country? Do students in Jharkhand not have rights?' he said. He argued that the absence of demonstrations in Jharkhand itself 'clearly reflects political motives.'
Pattern of Silence Across States
Gupta widened his attack to include other opposition-governed states, alleging a consistent pattern of inaction. He pointed to Karnataka and Telangana as states where paper leak incidents were met with silence, and cited Kerala as an instance where students reportedly faced police action. 'On all these issues, they remain silent. This proves that their primary concern is politics, not students,' he said. He also alleged that most political parties have failed to enact strong anti-paper leak legislation since Independence.
Congress Accused of Internal Power Struggles
Turning to the Congress's internal affairs, Gupta alleged that power struggles within the party begin even before it assumes office. He cited Punjab as an example, referring to events from five years ago that he claimed contributed to voters rejecting the party. 'Wherever the Congress is in power, the fight for power-sharing begins even before it comes to power,' he said, adding that the party is 'driven by internal court politics and disconnected from ground realities.'
Women's Issues: Rhetoric vs Reality
Gupta also accused the Congress of failing to match its parliamentary rhetoric on women's rights with action in states it governs. 'They make tall claims in Parliament about women's rights and empowerment, but wherever they are in power, women continue to face injustice. That is why people do not trust the Congress,' he said. He contrasted this with what he described as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's consistent commitment to women's development and empowerment.
What This Signals
The BJP's broadside comes amid heightened political tensions over examination integrity and student welfare — issues that have gained national salience following a series of paper leak controversies across multiple states. Gupta's remarks frame the Jharkhand episode as a litmus test for opposition credibility, with the BJP seeking to consolidate its positioning as the party of student welfare ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.