RAHUL GANDHI ACCUSES MODI GOVERNMENT OF CRUSHING STUDENT DISSENT AS DELHI PROTESTS SPARK POLITICAL FIRESTORM
October 10, 2026
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party of suppressing democratic dissent, alleging that extraordinary restrictions in New Delhi and police action against protesting students were intended to silence criticism of the government.
Addressing students at the Congress’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Chennai, Gandhi claimed that Delhi had effectively been shut down, with internet services suspended in parts of the capital and students allegedly assaulted during protests. He also accused the BJP of deploying people he described as its “goondas” to beat and intimidate demonstrators. These allegations formed the basis of his attack on the government’s handling of the protests.
“Modi is destroying India’s democracy,” Gandhi said, criticising what he portrayed as an attempt to prevent young people from raising questions about those in power.
His remarks came amid escalating demonstrations in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Protesters were prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar, the designated venue, as authorities deployed extensive security personnel and imposed restrictions on movement. Groups attempting to assemble at different locations across the city faced police intervention and detentions.
Delhi Police had deployed approximately 25,000 personnel, including police officers and paramilitary forces, ahead of the proposed demonstration. Restrictions were also imposed at several Metro stations as authorities sought to control crowd movement and prevent disturbances. The security arrangements and reported treatment of demonstrators intensified the political dispute over the government’s response to dissent.
Gandhi used the Chennai gathering to make a broader argument about the role of students in a democratic society. He maintained that curiosity and questioning were essential to intellectual development, scientific innovation, artistic creativity and national progress. In his view, students must be encouraged to challenge established ideas rather than accept authority without scrutiny.
He argued that every meaningful achievement, whether in business, science, art, music or the development of a country, begins with a question. The ability to question authority, he said, enables young people to imagine alternative futures, exercise independent judgement and make informed choices.
Gandhi also invoked the Constitution, arguing that citizens possess the right to question those exercising political power. He described voting as an important means through which people can demand answers and hold elected representatives accountable.
The ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme forms part of a nationwide Congress campaign focused on issues affecting students and young people, including examination irregularities, question-paper leaks, rising education costs, recruitment difficulties and unemployment. The initiative seeks to bring these concerns into the political debate and encourage greater engagement with the younger generation.
Gandhi’s intervention has added another dimension to the confrontation surrounding the Delhi protests. While the authorities have justified security restrictions on public-order grounds, the Congress leader has framed the developments as a wider struggle over democratic freedoms and the ability of citizens to challenge those in power.
The dispute over electoral-roll revision remains unresolved, with opposition parties demanding greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission. Gandhi’s remarks suggest that the Congress intends to connect the controversy with broader concerns about civil liberties, student welfare and the future of democratic participation in India.
