Rahul Gandhi’s fellow opposition leader in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday expressed solidarity with students protesting the recent developments in the education sector and said that the Congress is fully supporting them and will give them all support in the face of this uprising by students who were expressing their concerns and their demands.
Gandhi said the Opposition stands firmly with students and claimed that there must be accountability for the recent developments in the education system.
VIDEO | Delhi: Addressing a press conference, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “So we are 100% in agreement with what every single student is feeling and what every single student is doing. And there must be some consequences for what was done a few days ago. It is not their… pic.twitter.com/y3u8RMd6Xp
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"We are 100% in agreement with what every single student is feeling and what every single student is doing. There must be some consequences for what was done a few days ago," Rahul Gandhi said.
Calls for Dharmendra Pradhan's removal
The Congress leader’s main demand was the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, because he has failed in his responsibilities.
"The first demand, a completely legitimate one, is that Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, who has failed as Education Minister, should be relieved of his duties," Gandhi said.
He also claimed that the repeated examination controversies demonstrated systemic failures in education administration.
"Exam leaks are happening one after the other," he claimed.
The Union government has maintained that it is taking steps to strengthen the integrity of competitive examinations and has defended the Education Ministry's efforts.
Demand for Accountability
Rahul Gandhi also called for action against those who were supposedly responsible for the treatment of students during recent protests.
He said, as well, accountability should extend to those who allegedly ordered and carried out actions against students.
"Every single person who raised a finger against our students... should be held accountable," he said.
The Congress has repeatedly criticised the government’s handling of student-related protests, and the BJP has maintained that law enforcement agencies operated as per existing procedures and security measures.
Calls for an Apology
The Congress leader also suggested that the country’s leadership should recognise students’ concerns.
He said the person who is ultimately responsible for the education system should apologise to students for the recent developments.
Gandhi also said that students are one of India’s greatest strengths and said it was important to restore their confidence in the education system.
Political Debate Intensifies
Rahul Gandhi’s comments come at a time when the Congress-led Opposition is in a heated controversy with the BJP over education issues. Parliament has been disrupted repeatedly as Opposition parties have demanded accountability on examination management, and the BJP is accusing the Opposition of trying to politicize student issues.
The BJP has dismissed the Congress’ charges and defended Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying that the government is committed to improving examination security, transparency, and reforms in the education sector.
The latest remarks will further heighten political arguments, and the government and the opposition will continue to debate education policy, student welfare, and accountability in the ongoing Parliament session.
Rahul Gandhi’s accusations are political statements. The Union government and the Education Ministry have not heeded criticism on their handling of the education system and have insisted that measures have been taken to enhance the integrity of examinations to address concerns raised in relation to examinations.
