Bhubaneswar, July 19: Asserting that his party firmly stands with the youth and students of the country, BJD president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik on Sunday urged the Central Government to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the students who have been “peacefully” protesting for days over alleged irregularities in conduct of national level entrance examinations.The former Odisha Chief Minister said that a nation that compromises the integrity of its examination system, compromises its own future.Taking to X, Patnaik said, “For millions of children in our country, education remains the only path to a brighter future. Every developed nation is built upon a strong education system and a transparent, credible examination process. India too has made remarkable progress because of the strength of its education system. It has nurtured generations of brilliant doctors, scientists, engineers, teachers, and innovators who have shaped modern India.”“Today, however, trust in this system stands broken. The damage goes far beyond a failed exam. It shatters faith in the very foundation of education system. It tells deserving students that hard work no longer matters, and robs them of their only ladder out of poverty. A nation that compromises the integrity of its examination system, compromises its own future,” wrote Patnaik.He also demanded that accountability must be fixed for the lapse of trust.“This grave issue, affecting millions of students across the country, must be taken up in Parliament as the highest priority. It deserves a thorough debate in the temple of our democracy, leading to concrete reforms that ensure paper leaks, flawed assessments, and systemic failures are never repeated. Accountability must also be fixed for this lapse of trust,” said Patnaik.Patnaik emphasied that dialogue is most vital when it involves the youth of the nation.“Politics aside, I urge the government to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the students who have been peacefully protesting for days. They must be given a platform to express their views. A vibrant democracy advances through dialogue, not silence—and this dialogue is most vital when it involves the youth of the nation. The children and young people of India are looking to us for leadership. We cannot fail them,” said the BJD supremo.Patnaik asserted that his party firmly stands with the youth and students of the country.“Sincere, open-minded dialogue with the peaceful youth protestors will help restore faith in our democracy, in our education system, and in the leadership entrusted with shaping their future. BJD stands firmly with the youth and students of the country,” added Patnaik.
BJD stands firmly with youth and students,’ says Naveen Patnaik amid exam paper leak protest, demands meaningful dialogue
