'This is not his failure, but that of the system': Rahul Gandhi on student's plight
Cong leader says a student told him in Prayagraj that he had exhausted all options after years of preparation, debt and sale of family land, while accusing the Centre of ignoring students' concerns
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said a student he met at his Prayagraj programme had told him, "Now I have no option left", describing the encounter as an example of the hardships faced by young people preparing for competitive examinations.
In a post on X, Gandhi said the student had spent years preparing for examinations, sold his family's land and left his parents in debt, but still had nothing to show for his efforts.
"Years of preparation, the family's land sold, parents' debt and still nothing in hand," Gandhi said.
He said the student's situation was not a reflection of his own failure but of a system that had failed to reward his hard work.
"This is not his failure. This is the failure of a system that refused to give value to his hard work," Gandhi said.
Gandhi also stepped up his criticism of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the government's response to student protests, saying 13 days had passed without the Home Minister making a statement.
"It has been 13 days — not a single word has come from Home Minister Amit Shah's mouth. Instead of apologising, Prime Minister Modi is distributing forgiveness," he said.
Gandhi was referring to the Centre's handling of protests by students and young people over examination-related concerns and police action during demonstrations in Delhi.
Addressing Shah directly, Gandhi said the Opposition would continue to demand accountability.
"Mr Amit Shah, do not think that we will stop demanding accountability," he said.
He alleged that police had used lathis and pellet guns against students on the streets of the national capital and questioned the Home Minister's silence.
"Lathis and pellets were used against children on the streets of the capital — and you did not say a word," Gandhi said.
"Today or tomorrow, you will have to answer for this crime," he added.
Gandhi said he would continue to support the protesting students.
"Students are the light of the country, and I stand with them with all my strength," he said.
His remarks came a day after he addressed the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Prayagraj, where he interacted with students and competitive examination aspirants. Gandhi had described India's youth as its "greatest strength" and said the country's education system had little meaning if educational certificates could not help young people secure jobs.