Congress leader and opposition leader in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, proposed participating in the ongoing protest by teacher applicants in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. He stated that the 'system' prevents students from asking questions.
Speaking at the 'Chhatron Ki Gunj' event in Indore, Rahul Gandhi noted that students are being deliberately targeted because they question the functioning of institutions and the opportunities available to them. These remarks came amid persistent concerns among students and job seekers regarding issues related to recruitment and education in Madhya Pradesh.
Gandhi emphasized: 'The system feels threatened by students. Why? Because students ask questions. A student asks how Amit Shah's son became the chairman of the Cricket Association. A student asks how two people managed to capture the entire business landscape of India. A student asks why the judicial system and other institutions are not fulfilling their duties, or why the Election Commission is not performing its functions. That is why the system does not want students; it wants 'Andbakhts'. An Andbhakt is the antithesis of a student. While a student asks questions and remains curious, an andbhakt lives in his own illusory world.' He added that 'while a student is fearless, an andbhakt is a coward.'
Rahul claims that the 'system' controls institutions
Rahul Gandhi also leveled accusations that a network of political, bureaucratic, and business interests controls institutions across the country. He stated that the students' struggle is directed against what he termed the 'system.'
He described this system as multi-layered: 'At the highest level, six people run it. Narendra Modi ji—he deals with intimidation, acts of beating students, the use of nail-studded bats, and pellet firing; Amit Shah ji manages this; he is the strongman. This is Ajit Doval ji, the National Security Advisor. In unofficial conversations, he says that to control India, it is enough to control 500 people. He took control of India's telephony, WhatsApp, and Facebook; he organizes phone tapping and passes information to Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. In the middle is Mohan Bhagwat ji, who handles ideology; his organization receives thousands of crores of rupees to manage schools, colleges, and institutions. Then, on one side, there is Adani ji, and on the other, Ambani ji... The system has placed its people in every institution.'
Rahul Gandhi's comments were made during his interaction with students at the fifth 'Chhatron Ki Gunj' initiative event in Indore. This initiative focuses on issues related to education, examinations, recruitment, and employment. Previously, Gandhi invited students, parents, and teachers to share their experiences and concerns about the education system before the event in Indore.
'The system created to protect students is attacking them'
Rahul Gandhi also responded to a student who expressed concern about the functioning of universities and the alleged lack of transparency. Gandhi said: 'As I just mentioned, students feel that the system itself, which was created to help and protect them, and to ensure the safety of universities and colleges, is the one attacking them.'
The conversation with the student revealed that 'absolutely. Universities simply cannot cooperate; fraud happens everywhere. Complete lack of transparency. All we want is a proper resolution to the problems we presented to you so that all our problems can be solved...'
The Indore event is part of Gandhi's ongoing 'Chhatron Ki Gunj' campaign, which previously took place in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj, and Pune. This initiative addressed student issues, including examination irregularities, delays in hiring, and employment. Gandhi's event in Indore was postponed to September 19 after the Congress announced the ban on using the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The party subsequently organized an alternative venue for the event.
