You take credit for Mars, now own this: Priyanka Gandhi's attack on PM Modi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the crackdown on student protesters, saying he takes credit for achievements like the country's Mars missions and must now accept responsibility for how demonstrators have been treated.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House complex, she said PM Modi had posted on social media about caring for children just hours after students were teargassed and beaten the previous night.

She questioned whether Indian democracy had ever seen ruling party lawmakers protesting outside Parliament, noting that sessions have repeatedly failed to function amid the unrest. She called the Prime Minister weak and accused him of being a coward.

Asked about reports of internet restrictions in parts of central Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi questioned whether the country was functioning as a democracy, arguing that cutting off communication for protesting students, who she said are not terrorists; leaves the families worried and unable to reach their children while facing tear gas and baton charges.

She also pressed the media to scrutinize the contrast between Modi's public statements of concern for children and the crackdown that occurred the same night.

She pointed to 152 alleged paper leaks with no convictions till date, and further asks who bears responsibility for that failure. She said that PM Modi bears responsibility for young people's sense of a foreclosed future, for the internet shutdown, and for the tear gas and baton charges used against demonstrating students, adding that any harm to a protester would fall on him.

Earlier Thursday, she said students had lost faith in the system and called on the government to listen to public grievances.

Her comments followed a social media post from Modi, who said nothing is more important than the welfare and future of the country's youth. He announced the government's decision to set up fast-track courts for swift punishment in paper leak cases and said he has directed officials to take necessary steps.

Modi described the move as part of continuing efforts to safeguard students' interests and warned that anyone who harms the future of the country's youth will not be spared.

(with inputs from PTI)