‘Labelling Youth as Terrorists Is Unacceptable’: Rahul Gandhi Targets Education Minister

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi , on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan , demanding that he apologise to students and resign over his alleged remark describing protesting students as a " B team of terrorists ."

In a post on X, Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of branding critics and protesters with derogatory labels. He said students demanding their rights, fair examinations and a secure future were being unfairly targeted.

“ Labelling anyone who questions the government as a traitor is the BJP’s politics ,” Gandhi said, alleging that the ruling party had previously referred to protesting farmers as “andolanjeevi” and critics as “anti-national.”

The Congress leader also linked the controversy to issues in the education sector, including alleged paper leaks and student welfare concerns. He claimed the government had failed to protect the interests of young people and called on Pradhan to take responsibility.

“ Apologise immediately to the crores of young people in this country and resign for your failures ,” Gandhi said.

Reiterating his criticism of the education system, Gandhi alleged that it had become an “ extortion racket ” and vowed to continue raising the demand for affordable, quality education and fair examinations.

The row erupted after Abhijeet Dipke , founder of the Congress-affiliated student group CJP, shared a video clip on X alleging that Pradhan had referred to the organisation as a “B team of terrorists.” Dipke condemned the remark, saying students seeking justice and raising concerns about education-related issues should not be labelled in such a manner.

The Education Ministry had not immediately responded to the allegations.