Rahul Gandhi Criticises Modi, Bihar Government Over Police Action Against Students

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over police action against students protesting in Bihar.

Gandhi questioned whether the government could repair the hopes and aspirations of young people who were injured during the crackdown, even after their physical injuries recover.

In a video shared on social media, Gandhi was seen meeting students and young people from Bihar who he said had faced severe police action while protesting alleged irregularities in the examination system.

In his Hindi post accompanying the video, Gandhi questioned why the students were subjected to gunfire when they had only raised demands for education, employment and accountability.

He highlighted the injuries suffered by several protesters. According to Gandhi, one student suffered a serious leg injury from an AK 47 bullet, damaging his ambition of joining the armed forces and serving the country. Two other students reportedly suffered bullet injuries to their shoulders.

Gandhi said the protesters were not criminals but young people from financially struggling families who were trying to build better futures. Many had left their homes with hopes of finding employment and improving the lives of their families.

He said physical wounds may eventually heal, but the fear created by such violence could remain with the students for much longer. Gandhi questioned whether the government had any way to restore the confidence and dreams that had been damaged.

After meeting the students earlier, Gandhi warned that governments that silence young people would eventually have to answer to the public.

He alleged that police used lathis as well as firearms, including AK 47 rifles and pistols, during the confrontation, resulting in injuries to several students. According to him, the protesters were demanding fair opportunities, a transparent recruitment process and their rights.

Gandhi also said the government could not avoid responsibility by placing the blame on junior officials. He argued that the action either reflected instructions from senior levels or serious administrative failure.

He assured the affected students of his support and said he would stand with them in their fight for justice.

The protests began in early August and intensified in Patna when job aspirants attempted to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence. The protesters were demanding a single tier examination system for teacher recruitment and greater transparency in the process.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and other opposition leaders have also expressed support for the protesting students.