Kharge Skips Birthday Seeks Accountability Amid Protests

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge refused to celebrate his 84th birthday to protest police action against student demonstrators, decrying lathicharges, tear gas, and the near-sealed Parliament and internet shutdown as assaults on democracy. He urged immediate parliamentary discussion, accountability for the crackdown and paper leaks, the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and a reformed, merit-based education system.