Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Government for Displacing Climate Activist at Protest

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has condemned the government's actions against climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was removed from a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. Gandhi accused the Modi administration of suppressing student voices and highlighted critical issues in the education system, including paper leaks and rising costs. His remarks followed a rally where he called for significant reforms in education and examination processes, advocating for a shift towards a student-centered approach. This article delves into Gandhi's statements and the broader implications for India's educational landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 18, 2026, 16:45 IST

Rahul Gandhi's Condemnation of Government Actions

On Saturday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his disapproval regarding the removal of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where he was on a hunger strike. Gandhi accused the central government of suppressing voices that raise issues affecting students across the nation. In a post on X, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha stated that the fundamental principles of the Narendra Modi administration are rooted in falsehood and violence. He emphasized that it was inappropriate to remove Wangchuk while he was peacefully protesting.

Linking Wangchuk's protest to broader concerns about the education system, Gandhi pointed out that issues such as paper leaks, rising educational costs, and student suicides pose significant challenges to India's future.

Advocating for Student Rights

Using the hashtag #ChhatronKiGoonj, Gandhi asserted that no force can deter Indian students and their supporters from voicing these critical issues. His remarks came a day after addressing the 'Students' Voice' rally in Dehradun, where he called for substantial reforms in India's education and examination systems. He argued against any political party or organization controlling educational institutions and urged for a broad political consensus to tackle the recurring problem of paper leaks. During the rally, he claimed that nearly 7.5 million students have been affected by leaked examination papers, attributing the issue to a corrupt network involving coaching centers, examination venues, question paper creators, transporters, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the Ministry of Education.

Call for Overhaul of Examination System

Gandhi advocated for reforms in the country's examination system, describing the current model as outdated and overly focused on exams rather than students. He proposed that the existing examiner-centric and government-centric approach should be replaced with a student-centered framework, incorporating secure question banks and technology-based random question papers akin to international standardized tests like the GMAT.