Rahul Gandhi targets Modi and security chiefs at student rally in Indore

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Narendra Modi's administration of capturing India's institutions and suppressing students because the government fears being questioned.

Speaking at a student rally in Indore on Saturday, Gandhi outlined what he called a 'system' run by a handful of powerful figures who prefer blind followers over critical minds. He told the crowd at the IDA ground that the country is controlled at the top by six people: the Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and billionaires Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani.

According to Gandhi, each of these figures plays a specific role in maintaining this control. He described Shah as the 'enforcer' responsible for suppressing student protests, while accusing Doval of tapping citizens' phones and social media. Gandhi further alleged that public funds meant for education are being funnelled to private interests, claiming the Union education budget had fallen from 4.6 per cent in 2014 to 2.6 per cent in 2026.

The Congress MP contrasted students, whom he described as curious and honest, with 'andhbhakts' (blind followers). 'The system wants andhbhakts,' Gandhi said, arguing that blind followers never question paper leaks, collapsing infrastructure, or the state of public schools. He claimed that one lakh government schools have been closed across India, with more than half of those closures happening in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

The rally, titled 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' (The Echo of Students), also served as a platform for local grievances. Gandhi met the family of Arpit Jaj, an 18-year-old student who died in a building collapse in Delhi earlier this month. He used the tragedy to attack the government's infrastructure failures and budget cuts.

The event has triggered a fierce political backlash. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav condemned the rally, labelling it 'Jhoot ki Goonj' (The Echo of Lies). Yadav particularly targeted a stage performance during the event in which a comic appeared to mimic and mock Modi's interactions with foreign leaders. Yadav called the act shameful and an insult to the nation, accusing Gandhi of spreading confusion without any factual basis.

The event had already faced administrative hurdles before Gandhi took the stage. Local authorities had denied permission to host the rally at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, forcing the Congress party to lease the IDA ground for over 10 lakh rupees. A dispute subsequently arose when local development officials demanded an additional four lakh rupees, claiming the venue had been occupied earlier than permitted.