Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, publicly condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 20, 2026, labeling him the “most anti-youth Prime Minister India has ever had”. The criticism followed police action against students protesting recurring examination paper leaks in Delhi as the monsoon session of Parliament opened. Gandhi and other Congress leaders are demanding that the government address student grievances, which they characterize as legitimate.
Did You Know? Rahul Gandhi stated that there have been 152 paper leaks in India, allegedly impacting 7.5 crore students.
Opposition Demands for Accountability
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks came as students gathered to protest in Delhi, leading to confrontations with police. According to Gandhi, the government’s use of tear gas and lathi-charges against students is undemocratic. He argued that students are not criminals but individuals exercising their rights to demand a fair education system.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra supported these claims, stating that the party has consistently sought a parliamentary discussion on education policy and paper leaks. She characterized the government’s response to the protesters as dismissive, noting that the students are the country’s future and that Parliament should be accessible for their concerns.
Political Context of the Protests
The current wave of agitation is led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with activist Sonam Wangchuk emerging as the face of the protest. Congress leaders are seeking to regain political traction among the youth by highlighting their long-standing focus on the issue. Gandhi claimed that the Congress has been raising concerns regarding the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the Indian education system for years.
Expert Insight: The Congress party’s aggressive stance on the paper leak crisis appears to be a strategic effort to reclaim its influence among younger voters. By aligning with the CJP-led protests, the opposition is attempting to challenge the government’s current narrative on education policy and performance.
Potential Future Developments
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rahul Gandhi criticizing the Prime Minister?
Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of being “anti-youth” due to his government’s handling of recurring examination paper leaks and the subsequent police treatment of students protesting in Delhi.
What is the Congress party’s stance on the protests?
The party claims the students’ demands are legitimate and has criticized the use of police force, such as lathi-charging and tear-gassing, as undemocratic.
Who is leading the current student agitation?
The agitation is led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), with activist Sonam Wangchuk emerging as the face of the movement.
How do you believe the government should respond to these concerns regarding the education system?