New Delhi, June 15:
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday called upon students preparing for competitive examinations and young job aspirants to join the Congress party’s nationwide campaign, “Chhatron Ki Goonj”, which is set to begin from Kota in Rajasthan on June 17.
The campaign aims to highlight issues affecting India’s youth, including examination paper leaks, recruitment irregularities, cancelled examinations, rising unemployment and concerns related to government job recruitment processes.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Gandhi addressed students frustrated by recurring paper leaks and delays in recruitment, saying, “I know you’re exhausted. You’re angry. But remember this — when the government refuses to listen, you have to raise your voice louder.”
Calling for greater participation from students and youth across the country, he added, “Let’s come together and become a roar that can’t be ignored. Starting from Kota — then reaching every corner of the country. This is a fight for your future. And I’m with you.”
According to Congress leaders, the nationwide agitation seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by millions of young Indians and create a platform for students, job seekers, teachers and youth organisations to voice their concerns.
At the launch event in Kota, Gandhi is expected to interact directly with students and aspirants preparing for various competitive examinations.
Earlier, K. C. Venugopal announced the first phase of the campaign and said Gandhi would address student conventions in several cities across the country.
The first phase of the programme will continue with events scheduled in Prayagraj (Allahabad) on July 10, Patna on July 11 and New Delhi on July 14.
Venugopal stated that the campaign has been launched under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to raise awareness about examination irregularities, paper leaks, rising costs associated with competitive exams and the lack of transparency in recruitment systems.
The Congress has alleged that recurring paper leaks and recruitment-related issues are jeopardising the future of millions of students and job aspirants across the country.
Local Congress leaders said Kota was chosen as the starting point of the nationwide movement because of its status as India’s premier coaching hub, attracting lakhs of students every year for preparation for engineering, medical and other competitive examinations.
Kota District Congress President Rakhi Gautam and Kota Rural Congress President Bhanu Pratap Singh said Gandhi had been invited to visit the city during a recent conference held in Pushkar and that the city was a natural choice for launching the campaign focused on student and youth issues.
The Congress hopes the initiative will build a nationwide movement demanding greater accountability, transparency and fairness in the education and recruitment systems.
