SHILLONG, TURA, July 21: A day after a controversial remark by BJP youth president Mewaker Lyngdoh Pakma where he asked for the protesters in Delhi to be shot, the State BJP remains silent. Despite growing criticism over the BJYM president’s social media post in which he wrote “Shoot them! Tear gas ain’t enough!” while sharing a video of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) agitation at Jantar Mantar, the entire party brass in Meghalaya has refused to issue any statement of condemnation or even distance itself from the remark.
Journalists approached party MLA A.L. Hek, spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang, and the party’s WhatsApp media group seeking a reaction. The response was complete silence.
The party instead continued posting about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives on NEET and student-related issues.
Hek carefully avoided the “shoot them” remark. He said the party and the government were “concerned about the students irrespective of their organisation or party affiliation.”
On the growing demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Hek said the government would “first see the issue” and take necessary action after verification. Asked if the Centre was considering removing Pradhan, he said the matter had been left to the “wisdom of the Union Government.”
On the use of force by Delhi Police, Hek declined to comment, saying the situation at the spot should be verified first. He also downplayed allegations of foreign funding of the protesters and maintained that people were focusing only on the “negative part” while ignoring the development and policies brought by the BJP.
The silence of the State BJP stands in contrast to the sharp reactions from other quarters.
The Meghalaya Congress has condemned Pakma’s statement. Youth leaders on Tuesday said an advocate making such remarks raises serious questions about ethics. “You just cannot say to kill those who are protesting. We want him to step down and also demand action against him. The statement reflects what BJP stands for,” they said.
The party announced that a four-member Congress delegation would travel to New Delhi on Wednesday to meet the CJP protesters and students who faced police action. The leaders also said they would chalk out a protest programme shortly.
The West Garo Hills District Youth Congress issued a strong statement. President Rikrak M. Sangma described Pakma’s call as “deeply disturbing, irresponsible and fundamentally contrary to the spirit and values enshrined in the Constitution of India.”
He said every citizen has the fundamental right to peaceful dissent and that advocating violence against protesters has no place in a constitutional democracy. Sangma added that such remarks reflect a dangerous mindset that seeks to normalise intimidation rather than democratic engagement.
CBCI condemns police crackdown against students
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on Tuesday strongly condemned the police action against students during the ‘Sansad March’ in Delhi.
Terming the reported use of lathi-charge and tear gas against peaceful demonstrators as “a heartbreaking assault on the very soul of our democracy,” the CBCI expressed profound anguish over the incident.
The conference said the students had taken to the streets with legitimate demands for urgent reforms and greater transparency in the education system. Responding to a peaceful demonstration with force, it said, was deeply concerning. “We share your pain, hear your voices, and echo your righteous cry for a transparent and just education system,” the statement added.
The CBCI also expressed solidarity with education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a prolonged hunger strike.
Noting his hospitalisation at Safdarjung Hospital, the bishops said they were worried about his health and urged the authorities to handle the situation with compassion. The conference called for immediate de-escalation and meaningful dialogue between the government and the protesting students, stressing that young people must be encouraged to participate in democratic processes rather than face intimidation.
