New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi turned to Instagram on Thursday for an "Ask Me Anything" session aimed at engaging with Gen Z, answering a wide range of questions that ranged from politics and student protests to Batman, memes and even being a dog parent.

While the interaction covered several serious issues, one response quickly stood out.

Asked to name his favourite politician from the BJP, Gandhi surprised followers by naming former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Explaining his choice, he said the two got along well and praised Singh's knowledge of military history.

The Congress later shared the clip from the interaction on social media, highlighting the exchange and saying students had "raised the meme game too."

Rahul Gandhi's session also featured lighter moments. When one user jokingly asked if he was Batman, Gandhi replied with a transition video, "Let's just say that no one has ever seen me and Batman in the same room together."

Another user asked him about his favourite meme from the recent student protests. Gandhi responded, "I think the videos that came out of the PM house at midnight. Those were the best. Showing a new panicked Prime Minister."

The conversation soon shifted to the ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Calling attention to the protests, Gandhi said India's education system had "collapsed" and urged governments, regardless of political affiliation, to listen to students.

"The student protests that are happening in the country are against the education system. I have said it in Kota, Dehradun and will say it in Allahabad that our education system has collapsed. It is unaffordable and oppressive," he said.

He added that every government, whether at the Centre, in Congress-ruled states or in Jharkhand, should act on students' concerns and work towards reforming the education system.

The Jharkhand protest entered its 13th day on Thursday, with six protesters continuing an indefinite hunger strike. Student groups have also formed an 11-member delegation for talks with the state government.

Responding to another question, Gandhi spoke about women's education and equal opportunities, saying women deserved equal, if not greater, space across every field.

"India's women are our biggest strength. I do not appreciate the way women are treated in society, in our education system or in the corporate sector. You be confident, you be brave, you be powerful exactly as you are, and we are there to fully support you," he said.

The Congress leader also answered a lighter question on whether he was a dog parent, adding to the informal tone of the interaction that mixed politics with personal interests.

Asked about the philosophy that inspires him the most, Gandhi referred to the teachings of Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak Dev, Basavanna, Sankardev, Birsa Munda, Periyar, Mahatma Phule, Narayana Guru, B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, saying these traditions had shaped India's Constitution.

During the discussion, Gandhi also alleged that the country's education system was "busy destroying thinkers" and claimed that after being "captured" by the RSS, its focus had shifted towards discouraging independent thinking among young people.

The Instagram session came a day after Gandhi met students who had protested over the NEET paper leak and allegedly faced police action last month. On Wednesday, he accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of being responsible for the violence against the protesters and claimed the government had failed to explain the incident in Parliament.