You harmed the future of our youth the most: Rahul in reply to Modi's post

The Congress on Thursday, 23 July, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "rattled" by the ongoing protests across the country and alleged that he had harmed the future of the youth the most.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that Modi had allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of India's education system, and protected every person responsible for it.

"You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it," Gandhi said on X.

"The students' demands are clear: 1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan. 2. Apologise to the students. 3. Take action against those who assaulted them," the former Congress chief said.

His remarks came after Modi said on X that nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the PM does not have the courage to stand up in Parliament, speak and engage in serious debate like all his predecessors did when the occasion demanded.

"Actually, the post, such as it is, demonstrates that he is shaken and rattled," Ramesh said.

"Vote Chori, Seat Chori, Chanda Chori, Exam Paper Chori' - the list goes on and on," he said on X.

In his post this morning the prime minister said, "We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard," Modi said.

This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students, he said.

"Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," Modi asserted.

Meanwhile, Opposition and ruling party MPs staged counter protests and raised slogans against each other outside Parliament on Thursday.

MPs belonging to both camps stood outside Makar Dwar and raised slogans against the other side.

While the ruling party MPs hit out at the Opposition for politicising the paper leak issue and raised slogans lilke 'sharam karo, sharam karo' and Vande Mataram, the opposition INDIA bloc MPs demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The opposition MPs also raised slogans like 'Isteefa do', 'gaddi chhodo' and 'sharam karo' against the NDA.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Congress and other MPs also held a big banner seeking Pradhan's resignation. Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and other INDIA bloc leaders joined the protest outside Parliament.

(With agency inputs)