Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi System of Targeting Students

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has accused a 'system' run by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being hostile to students. Gandhi made the remarks while addressing thousands of youth at the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' student interaction program in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on September 19, 2026.

He alleged that this system, controlled by a handful of powerful people, views students as a danger because they ask questions. Instead, Gandhi claimed, the system wants only andhbhakts, a term the Congress uses for staunch BJP followers, meaning blind devotees.

The System's Alleged Structure

Gandhi presented a layered structure for what he called the captured system. He said the top layer consists of six individuals who control the country.

Gandhi accused Ajit Doval of overseeing digital spying by tapping phones and monitoring social media. He quoted Doval as saying in informal conversation that controlling India requires controlling just 500 people. Gandhi alleged that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat provides ideology, and industrialist Gautam Adani finances the system through government contracts.

Capture of National Institutions

Below this top layer, Gandhi asserted, the system has placed its people in every major institution. He claimed the capture extends across politics, business, the judiciary, bureaucracy, education, media, entertainment, and sports.

As an example, he pointed to cricket administration. "The 'system' has given the entire contract of cricket to Amit Shah's son [Jay Shah] despite the country having many cricket players," Gandhi said. He argued that students pose a threat because they question why institutions like the judiciary and the Election Commission are not functioning properly.

Students Versus Andhbhakts

Gandhi drew a sharp contrast between students and the andhbhakts he says the system promotes. He described students as curious, honest, compassionate, and respectful of women. In contrast, he labeled andhbhakts as delusional, arrogant, dishonest, patriarchal, and spreaders of hatred.

"This is why the 'system' does not want students," Gandhi stated. He claimed those running the system send their own children to study abroad instead of letting them become andhbhakts. The Congress MP also made specific claims about education, alleging that over one lakh schools have been shut nationwide, with 55% of those closures in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. He said the Union government's education budget allocation has fallen from 4.6% of the total outlay in 2014 to 2.6% in 2026.

Local Grievances and Event Controversy

During the event, local students and job aspirants took the stage to voice grievances. Issues raised included delayed government recruitment in Madhya Pradesh, vacancies held up by a sub judice OBC reservation case, and postponed nursing exams that have sparked protests.

The family of Arpit Jaj, an 18-year-old student from Dewas who died in a recent Delhi building collapse, also met Gandhi. They blamed their son's death on 'systemic failure.' Gandhi linked the tragedy to infrastructure neglect and education budget cuts.

The event itself was preceded by controversy. On the morning of September 19, posters mocking Gandhi with phrases like 'Jhooth Ki Goonj' appeared across Indore. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the Madhya Pradesh BJP government of being 'terrified' of the student program and trying to stop it.

In his concluding remarks, Gandhi positioned students as the antidote to national discord. The students can erase the hate and violence going on in the country, he said. Only the students can do it; the andhbhakts can never erase it.