As the nation gears up for the upcoming parliamentary sessions, the official social media handles of major opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the Indian National Congress, among others, are flooded with posts highlighting the pressing issues they intend to raise.
These parties, which form the core constituents of the INDIA alliance, have been actively using their social media platforms to amplify concerns surrounding the recurring exam scams, train accidents, and the alleged manpower crisis within the Indian Railways. The Opposition’s strategy to leverage social media effectively underscores their determination to hold the NDA government accountable and ensure that the voices of the people are heard within the hallowed chambers of Parliament.
The Opposition is likely to corner the Modi-led NDA government during the upcoming special session of the Lok Sabha, commencing on June 24th, over the recurring exam scams and train accidents that have claimed numerous lives across the nation.
As the first and special session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24th and conclude on July 3rd, and the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha will commence on June 27th and conclude on July 3rd, the Opposition is expected to come down heavily on the government over the mounting exam irregularities and railway accidents.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has admitted to a scam in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a crucial examination for medical college admissions. Furthermore, the NTA canceled the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) a day after conducting the exam, raising concerns about the credibility of the examination process.
In a separate incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has blacklisted a Gujarat-based private firm hired to conduct the Police Constable examination after allegations of question paper leaks surfaced. Additionally, the recurring train accidents have emerged as a potential flashpoint for the Opposition to grill the government. On June 17th, 2024, two trains collided in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, resulting in 11 fatalities. A goods train collided with the Sealdah-Agartala Kanchanjunga Express, a passenger train, near Rangapani railway station.
This incident has drawn scrutiny as the incumbent Rail Minister, Ashwini Vaishnav, during his previous tenure in the Modi 2.0 government, had claimed that the ‘Kavach’ system had been installed on the Railways to prevent such accidents in the future. With the Opposition expected to raise these critical issues during the upcoming session, the NDA government is likely to face intense grilling over the recurring exam scams and the failure to ensure railway safety, despite assurances.
The Opposition is also expected to raise pressing concerns over the alleged manpower shortage plaguing the Indian Railways, which they claim has become a significant contributor to the frequent train accidents occurring across the country. According to the allegations, the Indian Railways is grappling with a severe dearth of personnel, leading to an understaffed workforce. This staffing crisis has reportedly forced train drivers to operate locomotives without adequate rest periods, potentially compromising their alertness and decision-making abilities.
The lack of sufficient manpower has purportedly resulted in overworked and fatigued drivers being compelled to operate trains for extended periods, violating established safety protocols and increasing the risk of human error. Critics argue that this practice not only jeopardizes the lives of passengers but also undermines the overall efficiency and reliability of the rail network. The Opposition is likely to highlight this critical issue during the upcoming parliamentary sessions, demanding accountability and swift remedial measures from the government to address the alleged manpower shortage and ensure the well-being and safety of railway personnel and commuters alike.
