“The state of democracy in the country is worrying,” said Anita Verma, former national president of the All India Congress Committee (Women Cell), while raising serious questions over the actions of the Central Government and the Delhi Police while addressing mediapersons in Hamirpur on Wednesday. She condemned the “lathicharge” on the protesting students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and the alleged misconduct with opposition leaders. She accused the Central Government of suppressing the voice of the youth.

Anita said that the youth and students, who represent the future of the nation, were facing serious issues such as paper leaks. “When students raise their voice for their legitimate rights, the government uses police force against them instead of seeking a solution through dialogue,” she alleged.

She said that the manner in which the students were allegedly lathi-charged in New Delhi was “deeply shameful” and reflected the “dictatorial attitude” of the Central Government.

Anita said that the demand for the Union Education Minister’s resignation over the NEET paper leak and other issues concerning the youth had been raised for months. She added that under previous governments, ministers had resigned on moral ground over reported irregularities while the leaders of the present government were unwilling to do so.

Over the detention and alleged mistreatment of Rahul Gandhi, she said that when a prominent opposition leader came forward to support the students’ cause, he, too, faced the “dictatorial approach” of the government. She asserted that the Opposition played a crucial role in a democratic system and the present Central Government was undermining constitutional institutions and freedoms. Suman Bharti, president of the District Congress Committee, and former councillor Raju Chaudhary were also present on the occasion.