Rahul Gandhi backs Bihar students, warns BJP against suppressing voice of youth
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday backed students and youngsters in Bihar who protested against alleged irregularities in the examination system, and warned the BJP that any government that suppresses the voice of the youth will eventually have to answer to the people.
Gandhi made the remarks after meeting students and young people who, he said, had faced “horrific police brutality” while raising their concerns over the examination system.
“Police lathis as well as gunfire from AK-47 and pistols left many students injured. A young man aspiring to serve the country in the Army had his leg battered by an AK-47 bullet -- and with it, his life-long dream was also shattered,” Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.
He said the protesters were only demanding fair opportunities, a transparent examination system and their rights.
“What was the need to use lathis and bullets in response to such demands?” Gandhi asked.
He also rejected any attempt to hold only lower-ranking officials responsible for the police action.
“The government cannot absolve itself of responsibility for such extreme brutality by merely blaming a few low-ranking officials. This action is either the result of orders from above or a sign of the administration's utter failure,” he said.
Gandhi said he stood with the protesting youngsters and was ready to provide them with all possible assistance.
“The BJP should remember: any regime that suppresses the voice of the youth eventually has to answer to the people. That day is not far off,” he said.
Patna witnessed clashes between job aspirants and police last month after protesters tried to march towards the chief minister’s residence, demanding a single-tier teacher recruitment examination and a transparent recruitment process.
The students’ agitation, which began in the first week of August, has received support from opposition leaders, including RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav.
