The Narendra Modi government should disclose how many students have been evacuated and how many are still stranded in Ukraine, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, as he urged the government to clearly communicate with their families.
The principal Opposition party also launched “SpeakUpForStudents” campaign on social media to step up pressure on the Modi government for early and safe evacuation of all Indian student from Ukraine.
“To avert further tragedy, the Government of India (GoI) must share: How many students have been evacuated. How many are still stranded in Ukraine. Region-wise detailed evacuation plan. We owe a clear strategy and communication to the families involved,” Mr. Gandhi said on Twitter.
Targeting the Modi government on Twitter, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, “It is truly disheartening to see Narendra Modi Government asleep even after the death of an Indian student!”
“Urgent steps should have been taken days ago, but our PM and his ministers were busy finding “aapda mein avsar” and running their PR campaign even in the middle of a war crisis!” Mr. Kharge added.
Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that danger to the lives of Indian students in Ukraine added a critical dimension to the ongoing conflict. “Friends’ fire that killed our young compatriot underscores need to hold further fire till evacuation is complete. Has India suggested that to both sides?” asked Mr. Khurshid on Twitter.
Launching the online campaign, the party’s official Twitter handle said, “Fake nationalism will only save their image, not the nation’s interests. Rise up, #SpeakUpForOurStudents. Call out the Modi government for its indifference. Call out the Modi government for its incompetence. Call out the Modi government for its utter insensitivity”.
The party’s students’ wing, National Students’ Union of India, also protested in the national capital to exert pressure on the government for taking urgent steps.
