Rahul Gandhi at his Indore session of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’event NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday offered to participate in the ongoing protest by teacher job aspirants in Madhya Pradesh, while alleging that the “system” was preventing students from raising questions.Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore, Rahul Gandhi said students were being targeted because they questioned the functioning of institutions and the opportunities available to them. His remarks came amid continuing concerns among students and job aspirants over recruitment and education-related issues in Madhya Pradesh.Gandhi said, “The system feels threatened by students. Why? Because students ask questions. A student asks how Amit Shah’s son became the Chairman of the Cricket Association. A student asks how two individuals managed to capture the entire business landscape of India. A student asks why the judiciary and other institutions fail to do their jobs, or why the Election Commission isn’t performing its duties. That is why the system does not want students; it wants ‘Andhbhakts’. An andhbhakt is the antithesis of a student. While a student asks questions and remains curious, an andhbhakt lives in a delusional world of their own. While a student is fearless, an andhbhakt is a coward.”Rahul alleges ‘system’ controls institutionsRahul Gandhi also alleged that a network of political, bureaucratic and business interests controls institutions across the country. He said the struggle by students was against what he described as the “system”.”The struggle is against the system. What is this system? The system has various layers. At the top level sit six individuals who run it. Narendra Modi ji—he handles the intimidation, the acts of beating students, the use of nail-studded batons, and the firing of pellet guns; Amit Shah ji runs it; he is the enforcer. This is Ajit Doval ji, the National Security Advisor. In informal conversations, he says that to control India, one only needs to control 500 people. He has taken control of India’s telephones, WhatsApp, and Facebook communications; he orchestrates phone tapping and passes the information to Amit Shah ji and Narendra Modi ji. In the middle is Mohan Bhagwat ji, who deals with ideology; his organization receives thousands of crores of rupees to run schools, colleges, and institutions. Then, on one side, there is Adani ji, and on the other, Ambani ji…The system has placed its own people in every single institution…”Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were made during his interaction with students at the fifth edition of his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ initiative in Indore. The initiative has focused on issues concerning education, examinations, recruitment and employment. Gandhi had earlier invited students, parents and teachers to share their experiences and concerns about the education system ahead of the Indore event.‘System designed to protect students is attacking them’Rahul Gandhi also responded to a student who raised concerns over the functioning of universities and alleged lack of transparency.”As I just mentioned, students feel that the very system designed to help and protect them, and to safeguard universities and colleges, is the one attacking them,” Rahul Gandhi said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesInteracting with him, a student said, “Absolutely. The universities are simply unable to cooperate; there is fraud going on everywhere. There is a complete lack of transparency. All we want is a proper solution to the issues we have brought to you so that all our problems can be resolved…”The Indore programme is part of Gandhi’s ongoing ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach, which has previously been held in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj and Pune. The initiative has focused on student concerns including examination irregularities, recruitment delays and employment.Gandhi’s Indore event was shifted to September 19 after the Congress said permission to use Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium had been denied. The party subsequently arranged an alternative venue for the programme.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDUSU ELECTIONS WARNING TO CONGRESS—–19-09-2026Saayoni Ghosh Bats For TMC Congress Alliance, Calls For ‘True Partnership’ Ahead Of Nandigram BypollShocking Hit-And-Run In Greater Noida: Car Hits Four, Driver Escapes; Police Make ArrestRavneet Singh Bittu Detained In Ludhiana After Egg-Tomato Protest As Bhagwant Mann’s Convoy PassesFIR Filed Against IIT-Bombay After Student’s Death Following ChatGPT-Linked Exam Row | Watch’I Can’t Contest’…Mamata Banerjee’s TMC Faces Bypoll Setback As Two Candidates Withdraw | WatchAshok Gehlot Questions Congress Strategy After Rajasthan Poll Setback | What Went Wrong?“No Road, No Vote”: Union Minister Scindia’s Response To Youth In Guna Goes Viral | Watch‘TMC Mine Until…’: Mamata Supports Congress In Nandigram Bypoll; Ritabrata’s ‘Cult’ Jibe At DidiStone Pelting At Ganesh Idol Procession, Mosque In Karnataka’s Bhatkal Sparks Tension123Photostories10 beautiful baby names for your little one that symbolise light and radiance5 Easy no-bake desserts you can prepare at home without using an ovenTravelling to Canada from India? 7 things first-time visitors should knowFrom Shab Deg to Kalathappam: Local Indian dishes that deserve a royal comebackFrom pumpkin seeds to chia and crumbled paneer: How to elevate a bowl of papaya as a high-protein breakfastSanjeev Kapoor’s Dal Tadka Recipe turns 5 pantry staples into a restaurant-style lunch in under 30 minutesPsychology says eating while watching something may make it harder to notice this one important signalBanana botox to kitchen skincare: Why are these viral DIY beauty hacks trending again?5 Healthy oatmeal smoothie recipes for breakfast: Easy and nutritious drinks to start your dayFrom a luxurious vanity room and walk-in closet to an elegant living room: Inside Shoaib Ibrahim’s sister Saba’s lavish Mumbai house123Hot PicksDeepanshu ShokeenRussia sanctions billSurendra KoliNavya ShekhawatCBSE Date SheetShapoor MistryDelhi rapeNSE IPOSwatantra BhardwajTop TrendingAbhishek SharmaJared YoungWWE Money In the BankGold Rates TodayJos ButtlerAsian GamesMohammad RizwanLamar OdomDonald TrumpPM Modi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday offered to participate in the ongoing protest by teacher job aspirants in Madhya Pradesh, while alleging that the “system” was preventing students from raising questions.Speaking at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore, Rahul Gandhi said students were being targeted because they questioned the functioning of institutions and the opportunities available to them. His remarks came amid continuing concerns among students and job aspirants over recruitment and education-related issues in Madhya Pradesh.Gandhi said, “The system feels threatened by students. Why? Because students ask questions. A student asks how Amit Shah’s son became the Chairman of the Cricket Association. A student asks how two individuals managed to capture the entire business landscape of India. A student asks why the judiciary and other institutions fail to do their jobs, or why the Election Commission isn’t performing its duties. That is why the system does not want students; it wants ‘Andhbhakts’. An andhbhakt is the antithesis of a student. While a student asks questions and remains curious, an andhbhakt lives in a delusional world of their own. While a student is fearless, an andhbhakt is a coward.”
Rahul alleges ‘system’ controls institutions
Rahul Gandhi also alleged that a network of political, bureaucratic and business interests controls institutions across the country. He said the struggle by students was against what he described as the “system”.“The struggle is against the system. What is this system? The system has various layers. At the top level sit six individuals who run it. Narendra Modi ji—he handles the intimidation, the acts of beating students, the use of nail-studded batons, and the firing of pellet guns; Amit Shah ji runs it; he is the enforcer. This is Ajit Doval ji, the National Security Advisor. In informal conversations, he says that to control India, one only needs to control 500 people. He has taken control of India’s telephones, WhatsApp, and Facebook communications; he orchestrates phone tapping and passes the information to Amit Shah ji and Narendra Modi ji. In the middle is Mohan Bhagwat ji, who deals with ideology; his organization receives thousands of crores of rupees to run schools, colleges, and institutions. Then, on one side, there is Adani ji, and on the other, Ambani ji…The system has placed its own people in every single institution…”Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were made during his interaction with students at the fifth edition of his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ initiative in Indore. The initiative has focused on issues concerning education, examinations, recruitment and employment. Gandhi had earlier invited students, parents and teachers to share their experiences and concerns about the education system ahead of the Indore event.‘System designed to protect students is attacking them’Rahul Gandhi also responded to a student who raised concerns over the functioning of universities and alleged lack of transparency.“As I just mentioned, students feel that the very system designed to help and protect them, and to safeguard universities and colleges, is the one attacking them,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Interacting with him, a student said, “Absolutely. The universities are simply unable to cooperate; there is fraud going on everywhere. There is a complete lack of transparency. All we want is a proper solution to the issues we have brought to you so that all our problems can be resolved…”The Indore programme is part of Gandhi’s ongoing ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach, which has previously been held in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj and Pune. The initiative has focused on student concerns including examination irregularities, recruitment delays and employment.Gandhi’s Indore event was shifted to September 19 after the Congress said permission to use Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium had been denied. The party subsequently arranged an alternative venue for the programme.
