‘Can shattered dreams be restored?’ Rahul Gandhi targets Modi over Bihar job aspirants’ protest

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary over police action against protesting students in Bihar, asking whether their “shattered dreams” could be restored after their injuries heal.

Gandhi shared a video of his recent interaction with students and young people from Bihar who, according to him, faced “horrific police brutality” while protesting alleged irregularities in the examination system.

In a Hindi post accompanying the video, Gandhi questioned what crime the students had committed, saying they had only demanded three things - education, employment and accountability.

He claimed one student suffered a leg injury from an AK-47 bullet, shattering his dream of joining the Army, while two others were hit by bullets in their shoulders.

‘They were not criminals’

Gandhi said the injured students were not criminals but young people from poor families who had gone out to study and build better lives.

Some wanted good jobs, while others wanted to improve their families’ circumstances, he said.

He also questioned the psychological impact of the incident, asking whether the fear caused by the alleged police action could be treated even after the physical wounds healed.

“Prime Minister ji, Chief Minister ji, their broken bones would be fixed. Can you restore their shattered dreams?” Gandhi said.
Also read | BPSC protest in Patna: Water cannons, lathi-charge as students clash with police 

Gandhi questions use of force

Gandhi had met students from Bihar on Thursday and previously accused the authorities of using lathis and firearms against young people demanding a transparent examination and recruitment system.

He questioned why force was used against students seeking fair opportunities and accountability.

Gandhi also alleged that the government could not avoid responsibility by blaming lower-ranking officials, saying the action either reflected orders from higher levels or a failure of the administration.

He said he would continue to support the students and provide them with assistance.

Also read | BPSC protest in Patna: Water cannons, lathi-charge as students clash with police 

Bihar student protests

The remarks come amid protests by job aspirants in Bihar over alleged irregularities in the examination system.

Patna witnessed clashes between protesting job aspirants and police last month as demonstrators attempted to march towards the chief minister’s residence, demanding a single-tier teacher recruitment examination and a transparent recruitment process.

The student protests, which began in the first week of August, have received support from opposition leaders, including RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav.