Hisar: Congress general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala visited Hisar on Friday to express solidarity with the students protesting against the alleged police brutality at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU).

Surjewala met the injured students and extended full support to their demands.Backing the students' agitation, Surjewala assured that the Congress party stands firmly with them. "I will write to the chief minister and the governor seeking an appointment, and I will personally lead a delegation of the protesting students to meet them," he said. "Congress leaders will also accompany the students to ensure their voices are heard clearly and their demands are addressed promptly."Surjewala revealed that senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge would soon speak to the student leaders over the phone. "I have collected the contact numbers of two students. Rahul Ji and Kharge Ji will personally talk to them to understand their condition and concerns," he said, adding, "The youth's fight will be taken from the streets to the Parliament."Taking aim at the govt, Surjewala alleged that both the state and central govts are working to commercialise education.

"The University Grants Commission (UGC) budget was slashed by Rs 5,000 crore, and the state govt also cut funding to state universities by nearly Rs 1,000 crore," he claimed.He added that institutions such as HAU, Guru Jambheshwar University (GJU), Kurukshetra University, and the engineering university in Sonipat have all seen budget reductions. "The govt wants universities to operate on a self-finance model, which is nothing short of playing with the future of our youth," he said.Accusations against administrationSurjewala also accused the district administration of acting under political pressure. Surjewala said the SP and DC of the district are working under govt pressure, which is why, despite an FIR being registered against those involved in the assault on students, no arrests were made so far.MSID:: 121849554 413 |