Rahul Gandhi calls Modi 'most anti-youth PM' amid student protest crackdown

Sharp attack in Parliament

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him the most 'anti-youth prime minister' India has ever seen. The remarks came during a heated session in the Lok Sabha, where Gandhi referenced the recent police crackdown on student protesters.

Gandhi said the tear-gassing and lathi-charging of young demonstrators does not reflect India's democratic traditions. He accused the Modi government of systematically suppressing student voices.

Cockroach Janta Party march turns violent

The Congress leader's comments were triggered by Sunday's events, when police used force against the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Sansad Chalo' march. Students demanding action on unemployment and education reforms were met with water cannons and batons near the Parliament complex.

Video footage showed uniformed personnel firing tear gas shells into crowds of young protesters. Several students were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. The Delhi Police have not yet issued a detailed statement on the number of arrests made.

Opposition rallies behind students

Opposition parties across the spectrum closed ranks in support of the protesting students. The Himachal Pradesh CPI(M) leader condemned the crackdown and urged the youth to vote out the Modi government in the next elections.

NDTV quoted Gandhi as warning the police: 'Power does not last forever.' The remark was widely seen as a direct challenge to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's strong electoral mandate.

Government defends law and order action

BJP leaders countered by accusing Gandhi of politicising a law and order situation. They argued that the police action was necessary as the march had not received proper permissions and was causing public disruption.

Home Ministry sources said the protesters were warned multiple times before force was used. They added that an internal review of the incident is underway.

The Congress president, however, dismissed these justifications. 'Tear-gassing students is not India's way,' he said in a statement posted on social media.

Broader discontent among youth

Political analysts point out that the episode taps into a deeper frustration among India's young population. With unemployment rates remaining high despite government claims of economic growth, student groups have become increasingly vocal.

The Cockroach Janta Party, though a fringe group, has managed to draw attention to issues of joblessness and educational access. Their march was meant to pressure the government into tabling a youth-centric policy in the ongoing parliamentary session.

The Telegraph India reported that the opposition sees this as an opportunity to rebuild a coalition against the BJP ahead of state elections later this year.

What comes next is unclear. The Delhi Police are expected to file a chargesheet against the student leaders involved. Meanwhile, the opposition plans to raise a privilege motion in Parliament demanding a debate on the use of force against protesters.