Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Friday demanded the immediate removal of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the police action against protesting students, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi should sack him if he does not resign on moral grounds.Rai said peaceful student protests should not have been met with force and demanded an inquiry into the conduct of police personnel involved in the action.Rai made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Prayagraj while appearing at the MP-MLA court to record his testimony in an old criminal case. Rai said the demands raised by students in recent protests were ‘completely justified’ and maintained that govt must address their concerns instead of using force against them. He reiterated his demand for Pradhan’s resignation, saying the minister should take moral responsibility for the situation. If he failed to step down, Rai said, the PM should remove him from office.He also demanded an inquiry into the police action against the protesting students and sought appropriate action against personnel found responsible for using force during the demonstrations.Targeting the Centre and the PM, Rai alleged that govt made several promises in the past that were not fulfilled. Referring to the demonetisation, he said that an assurance was given at that time that the situation would return to normal within 50 days. Rai targeted the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that govt should answer questions over the alleged misuse of offerings and funds collected in the name of Lord Ram. The Congress leader said his party would continue to raise issues affecting students and the public and would hold govt accountable, particularly on matters concerning education and the rights of young people.
