Condemning tear-gas and lathi-charges against students marching to Parliament, the Opposition leader demanded immediate accountability for systemic paper leaks.
NEW DELHI — On the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, characterizing him as India’s most “anti-youth Prime Minister” following police crackdowns on student demonstrators attempting to march toward Parliament.
The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alongside student assemblies, sought higher administrative accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring national examination paper leaks.
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1. Opposition Condemns Police Action in Delhi
In a video statement released online, Rahul Gandhi criticized the use of tear gas and lathi charges against student demonstrators in central Delhi, framing their demands for exam integrity as a fundamental democratic right.
💬 Key Arguments Raised by Rahul Gandhi:
📢 Anti-Youth Policy ➔ "The country has a majority of young people. PM Modi is the most anti-youth PM India has ever had."
🛡️ Student Rights ➔ "The boys and girls walking the streets of Delhi are not criminals. They are demanding their rights."
🚫 Police Action ➔ "Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic. It is not India's way."
⚖️ RSS Allegation ➔ Claims systemic ideological capture of national education institutions by the RSS.
In a subsequent message posted on platform X, Gandhi addressed government personnel and law enforcement directly, warning that police powers are not absolute and stating that accountability for excessive force would eventually be enforced.
2. Congress Seeks to Reclaim Policy Space
The Congress party’s forceful stance reflects a calibrated political strategy to emphasize its longstanding campaign against examination malpractices, as activist Sonam Wangchuk and the CJP have gained significant traction among young voters.
Contrast of Positions: Opposition vs. Government Response
| Issue Dimension | Opposition Stance (Congress / CJP) | Government & Law Enforcement Position |
| Exam Leak Numbers | 152 Paper Leaks cited: Congress claims over 7.5 crore students have been adversely affected across various exams. | Reforms & Inquiries: Government cites ongoing administrative audits and criminal investigations under strict testing laws. |
| Parliamentary Debate | Immediate Discussion Demanded: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra argued Parliament “is not personal fiefdom” and demands an open floor debate. | Focus on Logic: PM Modi urged MPs to focus on structured facts rather than creating disruptions in the House. |
| Ministerial Accountability | Resignation Demanded: Repeated calls for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down. | No Resignation: Government maintains that administrative continuity is required to implement reform measures. |
Escalation Timeline on Day 1 of the Monsoon Session
Also Read | Dialogue Over Demonstrations: BJP MP Hema Malini Urges Protesting Students to Engage Government
Key Takeaway: The opening day of the Monsoon Session has established national testing integrity and youth employment as central battlelines between the ruling coalition and the Opposition bench.
Also Read | Dialogue Over Demonstrations: BJP MP Hema Malini Urges Protesting Students to Engage Government
