The opposition Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) in Meghalaya has demanded that all important institutions that provide public service be insulated from political interference. The Party said the ongoing nationwide protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination underscore the need to protect public institutions from corruption, nepotism and undue political influence. Extending its solidarity with protesters gathered in New Delhi, the party said the agitation transcends concerns over the entrance examination and has become a larger movement to safeguard the integrity of public institutions and the future of millions of young people. It also questioned the silence of the Meghalaya government on the issue, particularly when several youths from the State are participating in the protests and allegedly facing police action.
Addressing the media, VPP spokesperson Dr Airpeace Rani said the party stood in solidarity with protesters from across the country and extended its wholehearted support to the movement.
“Amid the ongoing protests in Delhi, the protest, which is related to the alleged irregularities in the Neet UG examinations, the voice of the people party, a political party from the state of Meghalaya and North East India expresses it solidarity with all the protesters who have come from across the country, Some of them are students, some of them professionals and other works of life. We stand with them for the issue that they stand for and we extend our whole hearted support to the ongoing protest.”
Rani said the VPP believed the protests were not confined to the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination but reflected a larger demand for transparency, accountability and the protection of public institutions.
“To the VPP, this protest is not confined only to the alleged irregularities in the NEET examinations, but it’s all about protecting the public institutions from corruption, nepotism and undue political interference, and also save guarding the interest and future of millions of our youths across the country. So, we stand with you and extend our support.”
Referring to media reports on the police response to the protests, she alleged that demonstrators had been subjected to excessive force and said constitutional protests should be addressed through dialogue rather than coercive measures.
“Secondly, We have seen from the media reports regarding the mishandling of the police authorities to the protestors. We have seen that they have been brutally lathi charge. They have been injured. Tear gas was used some of them were even hospitalized. So, we stand with you and we wish for your speedy recovery.”
She added, “We believe that peaceful protest, Constitutional demonstration with genuine issues such as this must be met with dialogue, not with force.”
Drawing a parallel with issues raised by the VPP in Meghalaya, Rani said the party had consistently advocated insulating public service institutions from political influence and welcomed the fact that similar concerns were being echoed by protesters in Delhi.
“In the state of Meghalaya, the VPP is also raising same kind of concerns where we want to insulate all important institutions that provide public service from political interference. So, we are happy that the issues that we are raising are also resonating in the current protests in Delhi.”
The VPP also sought a clear response from the Meghalaya government, particularly the Chief Minister, on its stand regarding the ongoing protests and the alleged police action against demonstrators, including youths from Meghalaya.
“Lastly, The VPP would like to question the government of Meghalaya, particularly the chief minister of State, we want to know what is the stand of the government on this particular issue at a time when the youth are protesting in the national capital, some of them even from Meghalaya also are gone When they are facing police action and atrocities.”
Expressing disappointment over what it described as the State government’s silence, the party said it expected the government to speak up on an issue affecting the future of young people.
“We expect the chief minister and the state government to speak up. But on the contrary, the state government has chosen to remain silent.”
Questioning the government’s position, the VPP asked, “Does it mean that the government of Meghalaya okay about the youth and their future? Does it mean that government of Meghalaya does not pay any concern regarding the alleging irregularities, Or does it mean that a government of Meghalaya has merely become a puppet in the hands on the central government.”
