Listen to students’ concerns; do not use force against them: Murli Manohar Joshi

Murli Manohar Joshi. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday (October 8, 2026) urged authorities to respond to student grievances with restraint and empathy.Speaking to reporters at the 21st FICCI Higher Education Summit in New Delhi, Mr. Joshi said students raising legitimate concerns should be given an opportunity to be heard.“Students are our children... listen to their concerns, don’t hit them with sticks... no solution could be reached through the use of force against young people,” he said.When asked about the Opposition’s stand on the special intensive revision (SIR) controversy, Mr. Joshi said the functioning of a democracy ultimately depends on fair elections, accountable governments, and a transparent administrative system.“Lincoln, 200 years ago, said that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall never perish from the earth... I now say that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth only if elections are fair, governments are accountable, and the bureaucracy is transparent,” he said.The BJP leader also referred to the broader role of the Opposition in a democracy, saying political parties should remain responsive and responsible while presenting alternative programmes within the constitutional framework.“If the Constitution is violated, the Supreme Court should take note of it. Democracy should function on this principle,” he added.Mr. Joshi had supported students during the NEET protests. He had said students’ concerns were genuine and called for them to be addressed with empathy.He had also cautioned against viewing student demonstrations solely as a law-and-order problem and criticised the use of force, particularly against women protesters. Published - October 08, 2026 08:04 pm IST