Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remarked on Friday that youth from Lucknow to Prayagraj have taken to the streets to protest against the alleged paper leak in police recruitments, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is delivering "misleading" speeches in Varanasi.
Sharing a video on social media platform X depicting youth protesting against the paper leak in police recruitment exams, Gandhi criticised Modi for lecturing them about their issues.
"From Lucknow to Prayagraj, youngsters are on the streets over the paper leak in police recruitments. And just 100 km away in Varanasi, the prime minister is misleading them...," Gandhi also stated in his social media post in Hindi on the microblogging platform.
"In typical Banarasi style, Modiji is telling 'Nani about nanihal'," he added, in an apparent reference to lecturing people about their own backyard.
PM Modi's Remark On Rahul Gandhi While Labeling Youth As 'Nasheri'
In a continuing attack on the opposition, Modi, speaking in Varanasi on Friday, accused these parties of instigating people based on caste differences and inciting them to fight against each other. He also criticised Gandhi for his previous remark about "drunk men" on Varanasi roads, stating that those who are not in their senses are labeling youth as "nasheri (addicts)".
Addressing the rally, Modi stated, "Members of the Congress's 'shahi parivar' are calling the youngsters of Varanasi 'nasheri'," without naming Gandhi. "Those who are not in 'hosh' (senses) themselves are calling youngsters nasheri," he further added.
Gandhi had recently commented that he saw some youth lying in an inebriated state on Varanasi streets and dancing at night. He remarked that the future of Uttar Pradesh's youth is compromised. "They have spent two decades abusing Modi and are now venting their frustration on youngsters. Those who are not in their senses themselves are calling the children of my Kashi drug addicts. No one will forget this insult of the youngsters of Uttar Pradesh by the INDI alliance," Modi also said.
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Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a post on social media platform X, stated that her party had introduced legislation in Uttar Pradesh to prevent paper leaks and corruption in recruitment processes.
"In view of the paper-leak crisis, our demand is -- there should be a CBI inquiry into both the recent paper leak incidents and strict action should be taken against the culprits. An examination calendar should be issued, in which the dates of advertisement, examination, and appointment are recorded and strict action should be taken in case of its violation," she wrote in a post on her X.
Priyanka Gandhi also called for the appointment of social justice observers to prevent corruption in reservation policies and suggested that all examination forms should be made available to youth free of charge to restore their confidence. She further demanded that free transportation be provided to youth for attending examinations.
The agitation by civil service aspirants protesting the alleged paper leaks of police recruitment exams entered its fifth day on Friday. The aspirants staged a demonstration at the front gate of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission.