Rahul Gandhi: Protesting students deserve apology, not PM's forgiveness
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday (August 8, 2026) said that students protesting across the country were in "severe pain" over unemployment and the state of the education system, and that they needed an apology from the Prime Minister, not his "forgiveness".
Speaking at the launch of a book on former MP and MDMK chief Vaiko in Parliament, Mr. Gandhi said that students have taken to the streets demanding fairness in examinations and a functioning education system.
"They don't have work and are asking for fairness in exams and an education system that works. On the other hand, the Prime Minister is forgiving them. Who is he to forgive them? Where does he get this idea that he can forgive the future of India? They don't need his forgiveness; they deserve an apology," Mr. Gandhi said.
Mr. Gandhi also linked the student protests to what he described as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) attempt to impose a single historical narrative on the country. Citing the Constitution's description of India as a "Union of States", he said that every state embodies the history, traditions, language and aspirations of its people.
"When you say Tamil Nadu, inside it is the history of the Tamil people — their pain, suffering and happiness. Every state has the right to express its own culture and language," he said.
Alleging that the RSS believed only the history "ascribed by it" mattered, Mr. Gandhi added: "This is why the students are out on the streets. India will not tolerate its history being trampled upon by anybody."
The event was attended by several political leaders, including former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief Manickam Tagore, Tamil Nadu Education Minister A. Rajmohan, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, CPI general secretary D. Raja, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, RSP MP N.K. Premachandran, NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule and Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose.
Describing Mr. Vaiko as "an inspiration for all of us", Mr. Gandhi thanked the veteran leader for his service to the country and said it was an honour to participate in the launch of his book.
The remarks come amid ongoing protests by students across India over issues related to examinations and employment. Opposition parties have repeatedly criticised the government's handling of these matters, while the government has defended its policies.
The event highlighted the political polarisation over student issues, with opposition leaders using the platform to criticise the central government's approach. Mr. Gandhi's comments echo the broader sentiment among opposition parties that the government must take responsibility for the current crisis in education and employment.
