Students being butchered, suppressed: Rahul Gandhi's criticism of education system

According to the Congress, the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative aims to highlight challenges faced by students due to alleged paper leaks, rising examination costs, and what the party describes as the government's failure to ensure a fair and transparent education and recruitment system.

In Short

• He says repeated irregularities show failure of authorities
• Gandhi argues system focusses on rejection, not student potential
• He links his criticism to NEET-UG leaks, CBSE evaluation concerns

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government over repeated paper leaks and examination irregularities, alleging that India's education system "suppresses" and "butchers" students.

Addressing the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' rally in Rajasthan's Kota, Gandhi questioned the Centre's failure to curb examination-related irregularities and criticised the country's education system for placing excessive and unjust pressure on students.

"The Indian education system is a rejection system. It is not a selection system," he said, linking the remark to controversies such as the NEET-UG paper leak and concerns surrounding the CBSE evaluation process.

Gandhi further argued that the existing system subjects students to stress and unnecessary pressure, which, he said, is detrimental to both young people and the country's future.

"This is not good for the country. I want all of us to work together to ensure that no student in this country ever feels what this girl felt," he said, referring to an aspirant present at the event.

RAHUL SLAMS TELEGRAM BAN

Ahead of his address, the Leader of Opposition told the gathering that the event was not political in nature. He added that the event was organized to critique India's education system.

"This is not a political meeting. This is a meeting about you, about young people who are struggling to get a future. This evening is about you, the challenges that you are dealing with every single day," he said.

He also criticised the BJP-led government over its decision to temporarily ban Telegram, the messaging platform, citing concerns that it was being used to facilitate paper leaks. Gandhi urged the Centre to "drop the theatrics" and focus on tackling the paper leak menace.

"Modi government should strike at the paper leak mafia, not students," he said.

'NOT CREATING EMPLOYABLE YOUTH'

Gandhi also argued that India's education system is failing to prepare students for employment. Citing data, he claimed that only 1.2 per cent of people in the country are currently able to secure salaried jobs despite students and their families spending huge sums of money on education.

He said the system is not designed to help young people realise their aspirations and often limits them to a narrow set of career choices. According to Gandhi, students who wish to pursue paths outside conventional professions such as engineering, medicine, the civil services, law or the armed forces find little support within the existing framework.

Calling for sweeping reforms, the Congress leader said, "The current system needs to be overhauled. We need to change this system, repair it and bring in a system that allows you to dream big and realise that dream," he said.

He further argued that education should enable students to achieve their goals without placing a heavy financial burden on families. "Most important is that your dream should be realised at the lowest cost without you being extorted of lakhs and crores of rupees," Gandhi said.

'MUSIC FEST-LIKE ATMOSPHERE'

The atmosphere at Kota's Dussehra Ground, the venue of the rally, resembled a music concert, with a large stage set up and rap musicians performing before Gandhi's arrival.

Thousands of students gathered at the venue, many wearing headbands and carrying placards, eager to hear Gandhi speak on issues related to examinations and education.

"There has been a lack of accountability on paper leaks, which has left students frustrated. We want to know what he has to say on the issue," some students at the venue told India Today TV.

After his address, Gandhi interacted with five students — three girls and two boys — on stage. The students, who are preparing for NEET, JEE and civil services examinations, discussed their career plans, reasons for choosing their respective fields, aspirations, and the financial burden of coaching and exam preparation.

CONGRESS'S STUDENT OUTREACH

According to the Congress, the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative aims to highlight challenges faced by students due to alleged paper leaks, rising examination costs, and what the party describes as the government's failure to ensure a fair and transparent education and recruitment system.

The party, with the support of its student wing – NSUI – and the youth wing – Youth Congress – is expected to hold similar rallies in Allahabad, Patna and Delhi next month.

The Rae Bareli MP will lead the initiative to demand accountability with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and begin a conversation on building a better future for young Indians, according to the party.

BJP SLAMS RAHUL GANDHI

The BJP, however, accused Gandhi of playing politics at the expense of medical aspirants who are in the final stages of preparation for the June 21 NEET-UG re-examination.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned Gandhi's decision to hold the event in Kota just 72 hours before the NEET-UG retest and accused him of pursuing political gains.

"At a time when students are focused on the final leg of their preparations for the NEET-UG exam, why do you want to distract them and subject them to mental stress?" Trivedi asked.

"Give students the opportunity to prepare for their examination during these crucial 72 hours without additional pressure. Refrain from playing politics during this sensitive period and disrupting their preparation by causing unnecessary anxiety," he added.

- Ends