BJP-RSS corrupted education, system only wants 'andhbhakts', says Rahul Gandhi
The Congress on Sunday alleged that the BJP-RSS had hollowed out and corrupted the education system, and said Rahul Gandhi was standing with students as they demanded accountability, with their "voice echoing" across the country.
The party made the assertion after Gandhi said a rotten "system", especially in education, had captured the country and did not want students to ask questions.
Gandhi made the remarks at the fifth edition of his youth outreach programme, 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', in Indore, where he spoke on the theme 'system versus students' and interacted with Gen Z and other young participants on education, recruitment and employment issues.
He said the system wanted 'andhbhakts' to spread its narrative and hatred instead of encouraging students to question authority.
Tagging Gandhi's post on the programme, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi ji revealed the secret of this system that has been suppressing students. Who is this system? The people of BJP-RSS who have seized control over the entire country. On education, on the economy, on politics, on every institution."
He added, "They have hollowed out and corrupted the education system. Because this system fears students. They ask questions, demand accountability." Ramesh also said, "Now Rahul ji stands with them, the fear among students has ended. Their voice is echoing across the entire country."
Gandhi said, "The system is afraid of students because students ask questions. The system does not want students; it wants 'andhbhakts'." He said students were curious, questioned authority and sought answers about the functioning of institutions, recruitment, examinations and opportunities, while 'andhbhakts' lacked these qualities and instead spread hatred.
During the interaction, Gandhi alleged that the "system" had several layers and named Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, alleging that they exercised control over different aspects of the country's political, institutional and economic life.
He said students posed a challenge to this system because they remained curious and questioned what was happening around them.
Gandhi's visit to Indore on Saturday came a day after Bhagwat interacted with 1,700 Gen Z participants at the 'Yuva Dharma Sansad' in Ujjain, and two days after BJP president Nitin Nabin, on his maiden visit to Madhya Pradesh after taking charge as the party's national chief, launched a government scheme in Indore.
Nabin's sudden visit was seen by many as a BJP move aimed at countering the impact of Gandhi's programme in the city.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 20, 2026 12:06 IST
