Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Gujarat Minister Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Jharkhand Student Protest Silence
There is a big argument between two political groups in India, the BJP and the Congress.
A minister named Jitu Vaghani from the BJP said upset things about a Congress leader named Rahul Gandhi.
Many students in a state called Jharkhand were upset.
They were angry about problems with their exams and with hiring for jobs, like leaked question papers.
The minister said the police used very rough methods against these peaceful students.
He said things like barbed wire, tear gas and water cannons were used.
He asked why Rahul Gandhi talks about students in Delhi but stays quiet about students in Jharkhand.
He also said the Congress party is stopping important talks in Parliament.
He wants Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party to say sorry for these problems.
Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged silence on the plight of students protesting in Jharkhand.
Students in Jharkhand reportedly faced barbed wire, lathi charges, tear gas and water cannons while peacefully protesting over exam and recruitment irregularities, including paper leaks.
Vaghani accused Rahul Gandhi of double standards for raising student issues at Delhi's Jantar Mantar but not speaking on Jharkhand students.
Vaghani alleged Congress has been disrupting Parliament for 15 days, preventing discussion on national issues, while the government was ready to respond.
He also condemned the alleged mistreatment of journalists covering the protests and demanded Rahul Gandhi and Congress apologise.
- Who
- Gujarat Agriculture Minister and senior BJP leader Jitu Vaghani criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party.
- What
- Vaghani accused Rahul Gandhi of silence over alleged police atrocities against students protesting in Jharkhand and alleged Congress disrupted Parliament for 15 days.
- When
- The press conference took place on Tuesday, a day after police and agitators clashed in Ranchi.
- Where
- The press conference was held at the BJP state office in Gandhinagar, Gujarat; the protests are in Jharkhand.
- Why
- Vaghani said students were peacefully protesting exam and recruitment irregularities, including paper leaks, but were allegedly met with barbed wire, lathi charges, tear gas and water cannons under the Congress-JMM coalition government.
Congress/Opposition view
BJP/Government view
Handling of Jharkhand student protests
Congress/Opposition view
Students were peacefully raising genuine concerns about competitive exams, recruitment irregularities and paper leaks, and Rahul Gandhi has been vocal about student issues at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
BJP/Government view
The Congress-JMM coalition government allegedly subjected peaceful students to barbed wire, lathi charges, tear gas and water cannons, and Rahul Gandhi's silence shows 'double standards, selective politics and insensitivity.'
Parliament logjam
Congress/Opposition view
Congress wants the government to respond to issues raised in Parliament, including a reply from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, rather than avoiding discussion.
BJP/Government view
Congress has been disrupting Parliament for 15 days and preventing debate on national issues even though the government, including Home Minister Amit Shah, was ready to respond.
Alleged firing at Jantar Mantar
Congress/Opposition view
Rahul Gandhi reportedly claimed that firing took place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
BJP/Government view
BJP leader J.P. Nadda said not a single gunshot was fired there, and Vaghani called Rahul Gandhi's claims 'false and misleading.'
- Critic
- Jitu Vaghani, Gujarat Agriculture Minister and senior BJP leader
- Target
- Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party
- Press conference location
- BJP state office, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Protest issue
- Student demands over competitive exams, recruitment irregularities and paper leaks in Jharkhand
- Alleged police measures
- Barbed wire, lathi charges, tear gas and water cannons
- Other allegations
- Mistreatment of journalists covering the protests; Congress disrupting Parliament for 15 days
- Government in power in Jharkhand
- Congress-JMM coalition
- Demand
- Rahul Gandhi and Congress should apologise for alleged 'brutal atrocities' against Jharkhand students
