Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the functioning of the government and education system during his “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, saying that students who ask questions are seen as a challenge by the existing system.
Addressing students on September 19, Gandhi said the system does not want young people who question decisions but prefers those who accept everything without asking questions.
“The system is afraid of students because students ask how two people captured the entire system. A blind devotee talks with hatred and spreads hatred. A student is honest and a blind devotee is a liar,” Gandhi said.
He also drew a contrast between students and what he described as “blind followers”, saying that political supporters who accept everything are not encouraged to question problems affecting education, employment and examinations.
“They don’t make their children blind followers, their children study in English medium schools,” Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi Raises Questions Over Schools and Education
Gandhi also spoke about the condition of government schools and claimed that more than one lakh government schools had been shut down across the country.
“Over one lakh government schools have been shut down, fifty-five percent of them in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh alone,” he said.
The claim was part of his broader criticism of the education system, with Gandhi arguing that students should be able to question the condition of schools, colleges and educational infrastructure.
He said students are naturally curious and should not be discouraged from asking difficult questions.
“Students have different characteristics and they naturally ask questions, they are curious. They don’t fight, they don’t threaten, they don’t intimidate,” Gandhi said.
He added that honesty and integrity were among the important qualities of students.
“The last, and very important, quality is that students are honest and work with integrity,” he said.
Paper Leaks and Jobs Among Students’ Concerns
Gandhi also referred to issues such as examination paper leaks, unemployment and problems faced by candidates appearing for government recruitment examinations.
According to his remarks at the event, students today are asking why schools and colleges are struggling, why examination papers are being leaked and why young people are finding it difficult to secure jobs.
He said the voices of students should be heard because they represent the future of the country.
The programme also gave students an opportunity to directly raise concerns about recruitment and examination-related issues.
Students Raise Recruitment and MPPSC Issues
During the interaction, a student told Gandhi that candidates who had cleared government examinations in Madhya Pradesh were facing delays in appointments, with around 13 per cent of appointments reportedly affected by legal disputes.
Another student from Dewas raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission process. He told Gandhi that after raising the issue, an FIR was registered against him and he was sent to jail.
The concerns highlighted by students focused on recruitment delays, examination processes and the difficulties faced by young people seeking government jobs.
Fifth Chhatron Ki Goonj Programme
The Indore event was the fifth edition of Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” outreach programme. The campaign began in Kota and was subsequently held in cities including Dehradun, Delhi, Prayagraj and Pune.
The Indore programme had also faced disagreements over the venue and security arrangements before it was held. The event was eventually organised at an alternative location after permission for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was not granted.
Gandhi’s remarks at the programme focused on students’ right to question the system, while education, recruitment, examination leaks and employment remained central themes of his interaction with young people.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav later criticised Gandhi’s remarks and said discussions about the state’s development should be based on facts and figures.
