Towards the beginning of this year, a survey found out that in India, 66% of the respondents were “severely” impacted due to the pandemic, financially. 17% complained of suffering job loss, 28% said they suffered a pay cut and 25% said they worked during lockdown without any pay, reported Hindustan Times.
As a result, the Supreme Court in May ordered schools to reduce their fees for online-only classes. This was directed at campuses that remained shut, thereby experiencing a reduction in running costs, reported TOI.
Recently, people approached Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister, Inder Singh Parmar, and complained to him about the increase in school fees. They alleged that schools were “overcharging” them, reports India Today. They asked him what were they to do if the Education Minister doesn’t help them.
However, Minister Parmar’s response to them is being condemned for being insensitive. He tells them, “Jao Maro,” which means ‘Go die’.
Have a look at the video here:
People online on Twitter condemned the incident and accused the minister of behaving “irresponsibly” with the public.
Minister speaks to father of school children,
If you want to die, die, fees will not be waived;The arrogant minister suggested death when the parents reached school education minister Inder Singh Parmar's bungalow to plead for waiver of children's fees in the epidemic. pic.twitter.com/1r1IWgysNy
— Anita Reddy (@AnitaReddyIn) June 30, 2021
@JM_Scindia @ChouhanShivraj @ndtv @BBCHindi @PMOIndia @AamAadmiParty @INCIndia @RahulGandhi Is this the way ministers are suppose to reply to public ? Just because they have power they can talk to anyway to public. Shame on such people 🙄
— Sumit Bundel (@SumitBundel1) June 30, 2021
@PMOIndia @iSupportNamo @narendramodi @ncbn @Indersinghsjp
Not expected this kind of irresponsible behavior from BJP state minister. Shame on you @Indersinghsjp— venkat (@VenkatRamavath) July 1, 2021
@Indersinghsjp @ChouhanShivraj
Very irresponsible behaviour !!— Xploree 👀 (@MotivateExplore) June 30, 2021
And these are our public servants ..👏
— Saurav Kumar Singh (@sauravksingh) June 30, 2021
These are so called ministers who we vote for. @RahulGandhi @srinivasiyc https://t.co/oLGuqACYJx
— Air Veteran (@airveteran1) July 1, 2021
Ha ha why do you come to politics when you dont interest to work for people and only interest to make money. @nimmasuresh Hope you take some good actions and set examples to other education minister. Not sure what's your problem to take strict decisions @VoiceOfParents2 https://t.co/uCqUxDaMTS
— Parashuram (@parshuramkreddy) July 1, 2021
If those in power do not help the powerless during such a crisis, who will?