Selja says resignation alone cannot restore students’ confidence; calls for transparency, accountability, meaningful parliamentary debate and justice for affected students

Sirsa Member of Parliament, former Union Minister, AICC General Secretary and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Kumari Selja has described the resignation of the Union Education Minister as a delayed but necessary decision, stating that had the Central Government acted earlier, millions of students across the country could have been spared prolonged uncertainty, repeated disruptions in Parliament and the tense situation that emerged during the nationwide student protests.

In a strongly worded statement, Selja said that while the minister’s resignation marks an important development, it should not be viewed as the end of the matter. Instead, she stressed that it should serve as the beginning of comprehensive reforms aimed at restoring the credibility of India’s education and examination system.

She said education is not merely an administrative or political issue but a matter directly linked to the future of the nation’s youth. According to Selja, recent controversies surrounding competitive and entrance examinations have seriously shaken the confidence of students and parents, raising widespread concerns about the transparency, fairness and integrity of the examination process.

“The resignation of a minister alone is not enough. The country now needs concrete, time-bound and institutional reforms that ensure transparency, accountability and credibility throughout the entire examination system,” she said.

The Congress leader noted that if the government had accepted moral responsibility and acted promptly, the prolonged uncertainty faced by students could have been avoided. She said Parliament’s valuable time would not have been repeatedly disrupted and the atmosphere of confrontation witnessed during peaceful student protests could also have been prevented.

Selja further stated that the Congress Party had consistently maintained from the very beginning that Parliament should function smoothly and that issues affecting students deserved serious and meaningful discussion. She said the party had repeatedly demanded a detailed debate on examination-related concerns, the fixing of moral and administrative accountability and a transparent investigation wherever irregularities had been alleged.

She emphasised that democracy functions best through dialogue and consultation rather than confrontation.

“Meaningful dialogue remains the strongest foundation of democracy. The concerns and aspirations of students should be heard with seriousness, sensitivity and responsibility,” she said.

Referring to the protests held by students across the country, Selja also called for an impartial review of the action taken against demonstrators. She said reports of the use of force during protests and the registration of cases against students should be examined fairly and transparently.

“If any innocent student has suffered injustice during the course of the protests, justice must be ensured without delay. At the same time, accountability should also be fixed wherever officials are found responsible for any excesses,” she said.

Highlighting the aspirations of India’s youth, Selja said millions of students dedicate years of hard work, discipline and honesty in preparation for competitive examinations with the hope of building a secure future. It is therefore the government’s constitutional responsibility, she said, to create an education system in which every student has confidence that examinations will be conducted fairly and transparently, without any scope for manipulation or irregularities.

She urged the Central Government to rise above political differences and focus on protecting the interests of students by implementing all necessary reforms that strengthen institutional accountability and restore public trust in the country’s examination system.

Reaffirming the Congress Party’s commitment to students’ rights, Selja said the party would continue to raise issues concerning transparent education, institutional accountability and the protection of students through democratic and constitutional means, both inside Parliament and on public platforms across the country.

Expressing hope for a constructive way forward, she said the government should now abandon political confrontation, understand the concerns of the country’s youth, facilitate a meaningful discussion in Parliament and introduce effective reforms that ensure transparency, fairness and credibility in India’s education system.

“The future of the country’s youth cannot be compromised. The government must now move beyond politics and take decisive steps to restore students’ confidence in the education system,” Selja added.

POD/DESK