BJP backs Tharoor’s remarks on student protests, Congress defends Rahul Gandhi’s reform push

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent remarks on student issues and public outreach have sparked political reactions, with the BJP backing him, while Congress leaders stated that Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has risen above political calculations and remains focussed on systemic reforms.

The controversy follows Tharoor’s comments that several of the issues highlighted by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during the nationwide student protests had already been raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi through his 'Chhatron Ki Goonj (Voice of Students)' campaign.

However, according to Tharoor, those concerns did not generate the same level of public response at the time.

Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebrations of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai, Tharoor said the Congress had taken up similar concerns months before they became central to the CJP-led agitation.

"Interestingly, the issues taken up by the CJP were something my party took up, Rahul Gandhi took up with 'Chhatron Ki Goonj'," Tharoor said at the 15th anniversary celebrations of India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai.

The Congress leader made the remarks in a conversation with Rishabh Shah, the founder of IIMUN, who also interviewed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday.

Reflecting on why the Congress campaign did not resonate as strongly with the public, Tharoor added, “But we have to see why it did not resonate as much. We need to have a finger on the pulse of the people."

Reacting to the remarks, Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav said, “Shashi Tharoor speaks the truth. He is a good and intellectual person. He is more of an intellectual than a politician, so he speaks the truth. That is exactly the issue. What we have been saying is what Shashi Tharoor is also saying that Congress has been unable to win, is being pushed to the margins of politics, and has not been able to earn the people’s trust."

Meanwhile, CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar dismissed Tharoor’s comments, arguing that the student movement had already achieved its objectives and that revisiting the issue now served little purpose.

“What is the point of stating all these things now? It sounds meaningless to me because the protests are over and the students achieved a huge victory. From the very beginning, the CPI also raised the issue of paper leaks and demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. I do not know where Shashi Tharoor was during those days. Suddenly appearing now and making such statements does not make sense. In many ways, it is a closed chapter,” Kumar said.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai also responded, emphasising the need for party leaders to strengthen public engagement.

“Connections were made very well. If someone is unable to make connections, then what are they doing? Rahul Gandhi is working very hard, and others should also contribute and support those efforts,” Dalwai said.

Defending Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said the Leader of the Opposition has consistently championed students’ concerns and is focussed on reform rather than political gains.

“Rahul Gandhi has risen above all these things. He is raising the voice of students and has been doing so for years. He has repeatedly highlighted issues such as paper leaks and the need for reforms in examination systems. Millions of young people are affected when institutions like the NTA fail to function properly. Rahul Gandhi is not looking at this from the perspective of political gain or loss; he is committed to bringing systemic reforms,” Bhagat said.

“Except for the headline, no changes have been made to the story by Education Post staff.”