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Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach programme in Indore drew a sharp response from the BJP with party leaders questioning the initiative.
BJP’s reaction came after Rahul Gandhi addressed Chhatron KI Goonj event in MP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a scathing attack at Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accusing him of creating a “manufactured” narrative around student concerns. The BJP’s criticism was followed by a poster war in the city.
The BJP on Saturday criticised Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accusing him of turning students’ concerns into a political narrative.
“Leader of Opposition Shri @RahulGandhi came to Indore with a microphone and a manufactured ‘System vs Students’ narrative,” Pradhan said in a post on X.
Pradhan alleged that Gandhi was portraying every challenge faced by students as evidence of a “captured system” and reducing the complex issues surrounding education to political slogans.
“But the reality is more consequential than mere rhetoric. Students deserve answers, not political theatre,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Shri @RahulGandhi came to Indore with a microphone and a manufactured “System vs Students” narrative.At Indore’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj”, Rahul Gandhi chose to portray every challenge faced by students as proof of a “captured system” and reduce a complex…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 19, 2026
The Union minister also cited government initiatives and education data while responding to Gandhi’s criticism. He said the gross enrolment ratio in higher education had increased from 23.7% in 2014-15 to 30% in 2023-24. Pradhan also referred to PM-Vidyalaxmi, PM-USHA and measures aimed at strengthening examination systems.
On examination reforms, he said the government had moved towards computer-based testing to reduce vulnerabilities associated with paper-based examinations. He also highlighted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, saying tougher penalties and fast-track courts had been introduced to deal with examination malpractice.
‘Jhooth Ki Goonj’ Posters Appear Across Indore
Earlier in the day, the political face-off intensified in Indore after posters carrying the message ‘Jhooth Ki Goonj’ appeared at several locations across the city ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s event.
BJP Madhya Pradesh co-media in-charge Alok Dubey rejected allegations that the party was behind the posters, claiming that students and young people had launched the campaign.
The BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit also took a dig at the Congress in a post on X, saying,“When ordinary students rejected it, they started staging a drama with their own organisation’s office-bearers!”
Congress Hits Back At BJP
Congress, however, alleged that the BJP was behind the posters and had put them up to create hurdles for Gandhi’s programme.
Indore Congress city president Chintu Chouksey said,“The BJP, which always lies, has put up ‘Jhooth Ki Goonj’ posters across the city.”
Congress workers were also seen removing some of the posters, according to reports.
This came as Gandhi held the latest edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Indore, where he addressed students and raised issues concerning education, examinations, recruitment and employment.
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Ask News18Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi of creating a manufactured ‘System vs Students’ narrative and turning complex education challenges into political slogans and theatrical rhetoric.
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Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More
September 19, 2026, 23:11 IST
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