New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met students who had been on a 23 day hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, intensifying his criticism of the Centre over the examination paper leak controversy. Standing alongside the protesters, he renewed his demand for the dismissal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying students would accept nothing less.
Rahul Gandhi described Pradhan as the face of the alleged collapse of the country’s education system and insisted that shifting him to another ministry would not address the issue. He said students were clear that the minister must be removed from the government entirely and not simply reassigned to a different portfolio.
Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said students were seeking decisive action rather than public messages. Referring to the Prime Minister’s recent outreach to young people, he remarked that assurances alone were not enough and urged the government to act by removing the Education Minister.
The Congress leader also highlighted allegations of police action during the student protests. Pointing to an injured protester standing beside him, Gandhi demanded accountability against those responsible for the use of force during demonstrations. He said officials involved in the alleged use of pellets and lathi charges against students should face action.
Gandhi further called on Prime Minister Modi to apologise to students who were injured during the protests, arguing that as the head of the government, he should take responsibility for the actions carried out under its administration.
Describing young people as the future of the country, Gandhi said their voices could not be ignored and reiterated that the demands being raised belonged to the students themselves, not to any political party.
Student representatives who participated in the hunger strike also repeated their demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, saying discussions with Rahul Gandhi focused on the need for accountability and broader reforms in India’s education system.
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