Rahul Gandhi defends students, says no need to apologise

Rahul Gandhi met with five protesting students who faced harassment on social media.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with five student protesters on Wednesday who are being harassed on social media for participating in the student movement. They are receiving threats of rape and murder. Police have been stationed outside their homes, and unnecessary police presence is harassing their family members.

In the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi mentioned the students' experiences, saying,

During the protest, they were beaten, and even after the movement ended, they faced abuse and misconduct on social media. They have "done nothing wrong" and do not need to apologise.

He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not understanding the concerns of the youth. Rahul Gandhi said, "We had an open conversation with some young protesters. They told me how they were beaten, threatened, and intimidated. I am very proud of them. I am proud of what they and thousands of young Indians like them have done. They have defended the Constitution, the idea of India, and the future of India. Complaining about the education system is not a crime, especially when the system is flawed, crumbling, and useless."

He further stated,

"If anything needs to be done, it is to change and reform this system. These students were only demanding this. They were not violent, aggressive, or misbehaving with anyone. Despite this, they were beaten, assaulted, and threatened. Forcing them, sending goons to their homes, then forcing a 15-year-old girl to apologise, and then accepting that apology is completely absurd. We do not accept this. We want an education system that works, we want paper leaks to stop, and we want the future of this country to be respected and protected."

Rahul Gandhi also launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He said, "These are the youth standing here in front of India's press. But Amit Shah and the Prime Minister do not have the courage to stand here." Describing the students as "exactly the kind of youth this country needs," Rahul said that for raising their voices, they faced "harassment, violence, and torture." He added, "I am proud that they have the courage to express themselves so clearly."

Rahul Gandhi held Amit Shah responsible for the alleged use of pellet guns against the protesters. He said,

If the Home Minister was unaware of this violence, then he is "incompetent," and if he ordered it, then he is "guilty." In both circumstances, the responsibility lies with him."

Rahul Gandhi's remarks came after Prime Minister Modi released a video stating that he had forgiven the young protesters who allegedly used abusive language against him and his mother during the protests.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi had said that the students are in "deep pain" and need an apology from the government, not forgiveness from it. He had said that the students were protesting against unemployment, an unfair examination system, and a deteriorating education system.

Rahul Gandhi also accused the RSS of tampering with the diversity of India's history. He said that every state has the right to preserve and express its language, culture, and traditions. He stated that this student movement represents resistance against any attempt to weaken India's diversity. Rahul Gandhi said, "India will not tolerate its history being trampled under anyone's feet."