Citing paper leaks in States, President calls for “measures beyond politics” to restore sanctity of exams; raises the spectre of the Emergency as the “darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution”
In her first address to Parliament since the Lok Sabha election results were announced, President Droupadi Murmu asked MPs to rise above “partisan politics” with regard to the row over “paper leaks” in examinations for medical college admissions and government recruitment. The Union government is “fully committed” to investigating the issues and punishing the guilty, she said.
Parliament session updates – June 27, 2024
“The recent irregularities and paper leaks are being dealt with strongly (and) the government’s focus is on improving the exam process,” the President said, as Opposition MPs raised an uproar at the mention of NEET, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical programmes.
“Such incidents [leaked question papers] have happened in many States. There is a need for measures beyond politics,” she added. “Sanctity, transparency are a must in government recruitments and examinations,” she said.
‘Attack on the Constitution’
The President’s customary address to a joint sitting of both Houses is usually about the agenda of the government of the day and in anticipation of the Union Budget. However, Ms. Murmu raised several other issues which she said were of concern, including the Emergency imposed in 1975 by the Congress-led government of the day, terming it “the biggest and darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution”.
“Today is 27th June. The imposition of Emergency on 25th June, 1975, was the biggest and darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution. The entire country felt outraged. But the country emerged victorious over such unconstitutional forces as the traditions of the Republic lie at the core of India,” she said, amid table thumping by the treasury benches and protests by the Opposition.
BJP’s counterattack
The President’s reference to the Emergency came a day after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla read out a statement condemning it on the floor of the House, to mark its 49th anniversary. In a letter to Mr. Birla, Congress general secretary and MP, K.C. Venugopal, termed his statement as a “grave matter, impacting upon the very credibility of the institution of Parliament”.
Many Opposition MPs held copies of the Constitution while affirming their oath as members, after an election campaign claiming that the BJP’s slogan asking voters for a brute majority of “400 paar” seats was a precursor to radically amending the Constitution. Anxious to dispel these notions, the BJP has counterattacked by raising the spectre of the Emergency, imposed by a Congress government 49 years ago.
‘EVM passed all tests’
Ms. Murmu also spoke out in robust defence of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in elections across the country. In a counter to demands for a return to paper ballots by a section of the Opposition, she reminded MPs of the days when ballot boxes could be looted.
“We all remember those times when ballot papers were snatched and looted. To ensure the sanctity of the electoral process, it was decided to use EVMs,” the President said. “The EVM has passed every test, from the Supreme Court to the people’s court, in the last few decades,” she added.
When Ms. Murmu said that the government had been eager to promote peace and prosperity in the north eastern states, the Opposition benches erupted with questions on Manipur.
Economic ambitions
Noting that the people of India had again opted to give a full majority to the government, which enables speedy reforms, the President said that the government is now focused on its goal of making India the world’s third-largest economy. “The government is giving equal priority to all three arms: manufacturing, services and agriculture. India is becoming atmanirbhar [self-sufficient] in every field at a rapid pace,” she said, promising “historic steps” in the upcoming Union Budget.
All citizens aged above 70 years will be provided free medical treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojna, the President said. Health insurance for senior citizens had been one of the promises in the BJP’s poll manifesto.
However, there was no mention in her speech of other highlights from the ruling party’s manifesto, such as the Uniform Civil Code or the proposal for simultaneous State and parliamentary elections.
Taaza Khabar 
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