Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has accused the Congress of adopting “double standards” over the ongoing protests in Jharkhand, questioning the party’s response to reports of students facing police action during demonstrations.

Godinho alleged that Congress had remained silent over the use of tear gas and lathi charges against protesting students in Jharkhand while raising similar issues against the BJP-led government at the Centre.

He said the BJP government had engaged with Gen Z protesters and acted on their demands, contrasting it with the situation in Jharkhand, where Congress is part of the ruling alliance.

Godinho called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to intervene and seek a resolution to the issue with the party’s alliance government in Jharkhand.

“Rahul Gandhi should come forward and resolve the issue with his alliance government in Jharkhand,” Godinho said.

He also said that if Congress wanted a discussion on the issue, the BJP-led Central government was prepared to debate it in Parliament.

Godinho criticised Congress for participating in protests at Jantar Mantar seeking resignations and for repeatedly disrupting parliamentary proceedings, while alleging that the party had not taken a similar position on the Jharkhand protests.

According to Godinho, the difference in Congress’s response was linked to the fact that the party is associated with the ruling alliance in Jharkhand.

“We demand that Rahul Gandhi apologise to Parliament and the people of India for this double standard,” Godinho said.