Congress Working Committee Resolution: Congress targets central government over youth, Ram Temple donations, China and E20

The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which met at Indira Bhavan in New Delhi on August 19, adopted a resolution raising concerns over youth unemployment and paper leaks, alleged irregularities in donations to the Ram Temple Trust, Chinese incursions along the Line of Actual Control and the impact of E20 fuel.

The resolution came after a CWC meeting chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, where senior party leaders discussed the political situation of the country and the party's strategy on issues concerning students, alleged financial irregularities involving Ram Temple donations and national security.

Congress flags youth unemployment, paper leaks


The CWC resolution said the party was "deeply distressed" by the plight of India's youth and accused the central government of failing to address their concerns.

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According to the resolution, at least 152 cases of paper leaks have been reported since 2014. It also claimed that the cancellation and re-conduct of the NEET examination resulted in at least 26 student suicides, while more than 90 other students lost their lives for similar reasons over the past five years.

The resolution said unemployment among educated youth had become a "crisis of systemic government failure", with the unemployment rate among graduates and postgraduates higher than among people without formal education.

The CWC also condemned what it described as the repression of student movements, alleging the use of electric shock batons, tear gas, pellet guns and AK-47s, as well as censorship of dissenting voices.

It said Rahul Gandhi had raised youth concerns through the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign and had written to the Jharkhand chief minister seeking a sensitive and just approach towards protesting students.

The resolution also claimed that sustained pressure from student groups and the united Opposition had compelled the Education Minister to resign.

Ram temple donations: Congress seeks Supreme Court-monitored probe

The CWC also raised allegations of "donation theft" involving offerings made to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The resolution said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Parliament on February 5, 2020, and had publicly associated himself with major milestones in the construction of the temple.

Against this backdrop, the Congress said the Prime Minister could not distance himself from questions surrounding the management of donations by saying the issue was a matter for the state government.

The party demanded an independent investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court and a comprehensive audit of the trust's accounts and assets, including cash and valuables.

Congress raises China, agriculture and energy security concerns

The resolution also accused the Modi government of compromising India's agricultural and energy security and strategic sovereignty in the face of American pressure.

Also read: Mallikarjun Kharge attacks Modi government over youth issues, Ram temple donations at Congress Working Committee meeting

It separately expressed concern over reports of Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh. The CWC said local fact-finding reports indicated that PLA personnel had prevented Indian forces from accessing key patrolling points and conducting patrols, while continuing to encroach upon grazing and usage areas traditionally accessed by Indian citizens along the LAC.

The party questioned the alleged silence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister on the issue and referred to the 2020 Galwan clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.

E20 fuel concerns

The CWC also reiterated its concerns over the government's E20 fuel policy, citing lower mileage, compatibility risks and the loss of consumer choice.

It said concerns over fuel contamination and the environmental costs associated with diverting sugarcane and maize towards fuel production remained unresolved and required urgent attention.

Women's reservation, Lok Sabha seat freeze

The resolution also reiterated the Congress' commitment to the immediate implementation of women's reservation.

The CWC demanded that the constitutional freeze on the existing strength of the Lok Sabha and its present allocation among states be extended for another 25 years.

At the same time, it called for one-third reservation for women to be implemented from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections itself.