'Pralhad Joshi was seen garlanding Bilkis Bano's rapists': Abhijeet Dipke on education mininster's appointment

Insha Mushtaq, a 14-year-old girl from Jammu and Kashmir, has been awarded compensation after suffering permanent blindness in 2016 due to pellet injuries. The award comes nearly eight years after the incident, marking a long-awaited resolution for the victim and her family. According to reports, Mushtaq was among several children affected by pellet fire during a protest in the region, an event that became known as the "pellet horror." Her case highlights ongoing legal battles and delayed justice for victims of state violence in Jammu and Kashmir. Mushtaq’s injury occurred in 2016 during a demonstration against security forces' actions. The pellets, fired by security personnel, caused severe damage to her eyes, resulting in total loss of vision. For years, her family struggled to secure medical treatment and legal redress. Recent developments indicate that authorities have finally acknowledged the severity of the situation and agreed to provide financial compensation. While the exact amount has not been disclosed, the decision reflects growing awareness of the human cost of such incidents. Meanwhile, political tensions continue to escalate in New Delhi. The Congress-Joint Parliamentary Committee (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, has remained active in its campaign against the central government. The group recently criticized the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the new education minister, citing concerns over his past associations. According to reports, Joshi was present at an event where individuals linked to the rape of Bilkis Bano, survivor of the 2002 Gujarat riots, were honored. This act drew sharp criticism from Dipke, who argued that such gestures could negatively impact the morale of young women. Joshi, a former minister under the Narendra Modi government, had previously supported the early release of 11 convicts who raped Bilkis Bano. His stance at the time was based on legal grounds, stating that the decision adhered to judicial procedures. However, critics argue that his public endorsement of these individuals undermines efforts to promote gender safety and accountability. The CJP has used this controversy to question the integrity of the new ministry and its potential impact on educational policies. Dipke has also raised concerns regarding the lack of compensation for families of students who reportedly committed suicide following the leakage of the NEET-UG exam paper. Over a dozen students are believed to have taken their lives after the scandal broke, leading to widespread outrage. Despite repeated demands, the government has yet to disburse the promised ₹1 crore in compensation. Dipke claims that bureaucratic delays and procedural hurdles have stalled the process, suggesting a lack of genuine commitment to addressing the issue. The CJP has threatened further protests unless its demands are met. These include not only the compensation for the NEET-UG victims but also the resignation of Joshi as education minister. The group has also accused the government of using comparisons with movements in Nepal and Bangladesh to discredit its cause. Exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen had previously drawn parallels between the CJP protests and student uprisings in Bangladesh, prompting Dipke to reject such comparisons as attempts to undermine their movement. Political leaders from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have also weighed in, labeling the CJP protests as "anti-national." They have called for a detailed analysis of the events, urging the government to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the demonstrations. Such statements reflect broader divisions within the political landscape, with some groups viewing the protests as legitimate expressions of dissent and others as threats to national stability. As the situation unfolds, both the legal battle for Insha Mushtaq and the political struggle involving the CJP remain unresolved. The outcome of these developments will likely shape future discussions on accountability, justice, and the role of civil society in holding power to account.