Sirsa MP, former Union Minister, AICC General Secretary and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja
Sirsa MP Selja says BJP government must answer concerns over unemployment, exam irregularities, costly education, national security and foreign policy
CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Sirsa MP, former Union Minister and Congress National General Secretary Kumari Selja has accused the BJP government of avoiding accountability on serious issues affecting the people of the country, particularly those concerning the future of young people, education, employment and alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.
Speaking to journalists, Selja said the Congress would intensify its political struggle in the coming period on issues including unemployment, the rising cost of higher education, examination irregularities, recruitment-related concerns, national security and foreign policy.
She said the BJP government should be held accountable for what she described as the failure to adequately address the concerns of young people whose futures have been affected by unemployment, examination-related controversies and uncertainty surrounding employment opportunities.
Referring to the recent meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Selja said important discussions were held at the party headquarters, Indira Bhawan in New Delhi, under the leadership of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
According to Selja, the meeting focused on several serious challenges facing the country and identified public-interest issues on which the Congress plans to strengthen its campaign and public outreach in the coming days.
She said the country’s youth are increasingly concerned about their future. On one hand, she said, higher education is becoming more expensive, while on the other, many young people continue to face difficulties in securing what they consider dignified and stable employment even after completing their education.
Selja also referred to concerns surrounding NEET and other examinations and recruitment processes, saying that instances of alleged mismanagement and irregularities have weakened the confidence of many students and their families.
She said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, during the CWC meeting, emphasised the need for a clear, comprehensive and time-bound “Education-to-Employment Roadmap” aimed at creating a stronger link between quality education, skill development and employment opportunities.
According to Selja, the Congress supports an education and employment framework in which young people are provided access to quality education while also being given adequate opportunities to enter the workforce.
She said the issue was not limited to academic qualifications alone, but also involved ensuring that students and young professionals have access to meaningful employment opportunities after completing their education.
Selja said the Congress intends to raise these concerns more strongly among the public and at different political and parliamentary forums in the coming period.
On the issue of national security, Selja said the Central Government should maintain complete transparency regarding the actual situation along the border with China. She said there should be no ambiguity when it comes to matters concerning national security and the country has the right to receive clear information on issues affecting its borders and sovereignty.
She also commented on foreign policy, saying that India’s national interests and dignity must remain paramount in its engagement with other countries. According to Selja, India should not compromise its interests before any foreign power, including the United States or any other country.
The Congress leader further said that if questions are being raised regarding the accounting of donations and valuable materials associated with the Ram Temple, the matter should be clarified with complete transparency and accountability.
She said issues connected with the faith of millions of people should be addressed responsibly and any questions raised in the public domain should receive factual and transparent answers.
Selja maintained that the CWC meeting had helped define the direction of the Congress party’s political campaign for the coming months. She said the party would raise issues related to education, employment, the future of young people, transparency in examinations, unemployment, national security and other matters of public interest.
“The Congress will raise its voice from the streets to Parliament and seek accountability from the BJP government on issues affecting the people,” she said.
According to Selja, the party believes that public concerns related to employment and education require sustained attention and long-term policy planning. She said young people should not be left facing uncertainty after investing years and significant financial resources in their education.
She added that examination systems and recruitment processes must inspire public confidence and operate with transparency and fairness so that deserving candidates are not disadvantaged.
The Congress, she said, will continue to highlight such issues and mobilise public opinion in support of what it describes as greater accountability, transparency and a stronger policy response from the government.
Garbage Piles on Streets Reflect Government Failure, Says Selja
Commenting on the ongoing strike by sanitation workers in Haryana, Kumari Selja said garbage has accumulated on roads, in markets and residential lanes in several cities, including Sirsa.
She said that as waste has reportedly remained uncleared for several days in some areas, foul smell and concerns about the spread of diseases have increased.
According to Selja, the situation could have been avoided if the government had engaged with sanitation workers and worked towards a timely resolution of their demands.
She said addressing the legitimate concerns of sanitation workers through serious dialogue is the responsibility of the government and added that sanitation cannot be ensured through slogans and publicity alone.
“Effective cleanliness requires a strong system on the ground,” she said, urging the government to adopt a constructive approach and hold meaningful discussions with the workers.
Selja called for an early resolution of the dispute and the immediate restoration of sanitation services across Haryana so that residents do not continue to face the consequences of the ongoing disruption.
She said the condition of cities affected by the sanitation workers’ strike should serve as a reminder of the essential role played by sanitation workers in maintaining public health and urban cleanliness.
