Rahul Gandhi condemns Modi over police crackdown on Bihar students
The opposition leader questioned the government's handling of a recent police action that targeted students from Bihar, raising concerns about their safety and future.
In a recent parliamentary address, Rahul Gandhi took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing the administration for its handling of a police operation that involved students from Bihar. Referring to the incident, Gandhi asked, “Prime Minister ji, Chief Minister ji, your broken bones would be fixed. Can you restore their shattered dreams?” The Hindu reported that the remarks were directed at what Gandhi described as an excessive use of force against the young demonstrators.
The police action in question occurred after a protest by a group of Bihar students in Delhi, who were reportedly detained and subjected to harsh treatment. While official statements from the Delhi Police have not been released in full, sources indicate that the students were accused of disrupting public order. Gandhi’s comments highlighted the disparity between the government’s willingness to address physical injuries of senior officials and its apparent neglect of the students’ aspirations.
The episode has reignited a long‑standing debate in India over the right to protest and the role of law‑enforcement agencies. Over the past few years, several high‑profile student movements—such as the 2020 Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University protests—have been met with police raids, arrests, and, at times, allegations of brutality. Critics argue that such responses stifle dissent and undermine democratic norms, while the government maintains that maintaining public order is paramount.
Political analysts note that Rahul Gandhi’s intervention comes at a time when the opposition is seeking to rally public sentiment ahead of upcoming state elections. By spotlighting the plight of the Bihar students, Gandhi aims to portray the ruling party as indifferent to the concerns of ordinary citizens, especially those from marginalized regions.
The incident also raises questions about inter‑state dynamics, as Bihar’s own political leadership has expressed solidarity with the detained students, urging the central government to intervene. The matter is likely to be raised in further parliamentary sessions and could prompt a judicial review if complaints of excessive force are substantiated.
Overall, the episode underscores the fragile balance between security measures and civil liberties in India’s vibrant democracy, a tension that will continue to shape political discourse in the months ahead.
This report is based on original reporting by The Hindu. Read the original source →