Amid PM degree row, Anurag Thakur hits out at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Digital Desk: The Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur slammed Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, claiming that the Aam Aadmi Party chief's corruption will be exposed shortly. Anurag thakur lashed out at Kejriwal after the Gujarat High Court fined him Rs 25,000 for his plea demanding details on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational degrees. 

The Gujarat High Court recently ruled that Prime Minister Modi is not required to provide his degrees, overturning a seven-year-old directive of the Chief Information Commission (CIC).

"Arvind Kejriwal knows that his corruption would be exposed shortly, which is why he is making such claims. He only desires to be in the spotlight. Kejriwal made a similar allegation against PM Modi's degree in 2014 "Anurag Thakur stated.

The Gujarat High Court on Friday overturned an order asking the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to provide Prime Minister Narendra Modi's graduation and post-graduate degree certificates. The court fined Kejriwal and ordered him to pay it to the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority within four weeks (GSLSA).

The judgement was made by a single-judge Justice Biren Vaishnav, who overturned the CIC's order instructing the PMO's public information officer (PIO) and the PIOs of Gujarat University and Delhi University to provide information about PM Modi's degrees.

Following the Gujarat High Court's decision, the Delhi Chief Minister restated his accusation, claiming that the court's order raises many issues about the Prime Minister's education and that citizens have the right to know about the Prime Minister, he further said "Doesn't the country even have the right to know how much their PM has read? He vehemently opposed showing the degree in the court. Why? And those who demand to see their degree will be fined? What is this happening?" Kejriwal questioned in a tweet. "Illiterate or less educated PM is very dangerous for the country," he stated. 

Following the Gujarat High Court judgement, Congress lashed out at the BJP, claiming that even transparency in 'New India' is limited.

In response to the verdict, Congress national secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a Hindi tweet, "Even transparency has its limits in New India. This is what's taught in 'The Whole Political Science'."

Pawan Khera, the chairman of Congress' media and publicity department, stated during a press conference, "See why this case went to court. Courts are under a lot of strain... Whether the PM's educational qualifications are real or not, the fact that this subject is going to court is astounding." 

"A hearing on the prime minister's degree is taking place in India, a country where four crore cases are pending in courts. Now we need to figure out why this issue arose. 'Entire Political Science,' I've never heard of it; if you have, please tell me. Even if such a degree is no longer available, I would prefer to pursue it "He stated. 

As the Gujarat High Court overturned the CIC judgement, the BJP attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of "peddling lies" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The saffron party also referenced instances of the AAP chairman apologising to its leaders for making "unverified" claims, claiming that "history is repeating itself."

"What Kejriwal is doing indicates his dissatisfaction," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said in a statement. "He is naturally frustrated because his cabinet ministers are in jail on corruption and spirits scam accusations. His remarks are a result of this. Patra's venomous attack on Kejriwal comes in the wake of the AAP leader's criticism of Prime Minister Modi over his schooling and allegations of corruption." added Patra.