Govt had no interest in debate, so we staged dharna outside PM's residence: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged assault on students during a protest, while urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the country's students and initiate sweeping reforms in the examination and education system.

Rahul posted a 2-minute-15-second video on X with the caption, "My direct message to the students of India and the Prime Minister..." The video shows the Leader of Opposition sitting barefoot on the steps of the Chhatrasal Stadium Detention Centre at night, speaking directly to the camera while making emphatic hand gestures.

In the video, Rahul said Opposition leaders had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla earlier in the day seeking a discussion on the students' issue in Parliament.

According to Rahul, the Speaker said the government's approval would be required before such a discussion could take place. However, he alleged it soon became clear that the Centre had no intention of allowing a debate.

"We decided to hold a dharna outside the Prime Minister's residence to bring national attention to the students' issue," Rahul said.

The Leader of Opposition questioned the state of India's education system, asking why examination papers continue to leak, why quality education has become increasingly



unaffordable and why parents are forced to shoulder a heavy financial burden to educate their children.

"These are legitimate questions. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking them," he said.

Rahul said students were demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Home Minister Amit Shah. He also called for action against those allegedly responsible for assaulting and humiliating students during the protest and demanded that all cases registered against the protesters be withdrawn.

He reiterated that the Opposition wanted a discussion on the issue in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, saying Parliament must debate the concerns raised by students instead of avoiding the issue.

Rahul also appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise for the previous day's events and begin reforms in the country's examination and education system.

"As an elder, I would suggest that the Prime Minister apologise to the country's students for what happened yesterday and start reforms in the examination and education system as soon as possible," he said.

Thanking students and supporters who participated in the protest, Rahul said the Congress would continue its fight until students received justice and meaningful reforms were introduced in the examination and education system.