New Delhi/Chandigarh, July 24 – Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij launched a series of sharp attacks on the Opposition and anti-national forces over the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that anti-national elements had deliberately planted miscreants among the protesters with the intention of creating unrest and provoking the entire country. He also referred to paper leak incidents that occurred during the tenure of Opposition governments and demanded that ministers who held office at that time and are now serving in various positions should first resign before the Opposition seeks the resignation of anyone else. Taking a swipe at the Opposition, he said it was merely staging a spectacle to attract public attention.

Sh. Vij was responding to questions from mediapersons in New Delhi today.

*"Why did Rahul Gandhi not visit at Jantar-Mantar when Sonam Wangchuk was on a hunger strike for over 20 days?" – Vij*

Taking a dig at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Vij said that students had been protesting peacefully, while Sonam Wangchuk had remained on a hunger strike for over 20–25 days. During that period, no one came to enquire about him. "Now Rahul Gandhi appears deeply concerned. If he truly cared, he should have visited while Wangchuk was on hunger strike. Instead, he was travelling abroad," Vij said. He further remarked that now that Sonam Wangchuk's health had deteriorated, Rahul Gandhi seemed to believe that "the fire has been lit and it is time to bake a few rotis of his own," alleging that this was his style of politics.

*"The Opposition comes up with a new 'documentary' before every Parliament session": Vij*

Attacking the Opposition, Vij said this was not the first time such tactics had been adopted. He claimed that records of previous Parliament sessions would show that before every session, the Opposition comes up with a new "documentary" because it has nothing substantial to say. He added that despite ruling the country for nearly 60–70 years, the Opposition had little to show for its governance. He reiterated that these actions were merely intended to draw public attention.

*"The Government is serious about the issue, and so is the Prime Minister": Vij*

Responding to a question regarding students demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Vij said that the Government was treating the matter with utmost seriousness. He added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had demonstrated his concern from the very first day and had made it clear that reforms were necessary. However, he said that the parties raising these demands had no moral authority to do so.

*"Paper leaks also occurred during Opposition governments": Vij*

Questioning the Opposition, Vij asked during which Opposition government paper leaks had not taken place. He said that while the Opposition was now demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, it should first secure the resignations of those ministers who were in office when paper leak incidents occurred under their governments and now who have taken various present posts. Only then, he said, should the Opposition demand anyone else's resignation.

*"The Opposition is behaving in a highly irresponsible manner": Vij*

Responding to a question regarding the Congress protest near the Prime Minister's residence, Vij said that the Opposition was acting in a highly irresponsible manner. He said that the Prime Minister is the Prime Minister of 1.4 billion Indians and that staging a protest outside the Prime Minister's residence was equivalent to compromising his security. "Any untoward incident can occur. Anti-social elements may also infiltrate such gatherings. Therefore, I believe that all those who staged the protest near the Prime Minister's residence should face a case for compromising the Prime Minister's security," he demanded.

*"The Government is resolving the issue; Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike": Vij*

Replying to a question regarding a fast-track court, Vij said that the Government was working towards resolving the issue and addressing the concerns that had emerged. He added that Sonam Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike because he was satisfied that the Government was making sincere efforts to find a solution.Taking another swipe at the Opposition,  Vij said Opposition leaders spend their entire day "carrying cans of petrol in their hands," waiting for even the smallest spark so that they can pour fuel on it and ignite unrest across the country.