Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, serving as Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, faced sharp criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday, 22 August, who accused him of neglecting his constitutional responsibilities and exploiting the Vande Mataram controversy for political gain. In contrast, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy praised Gandhi's nine-hour protest and credited him with securing an FIR in the pellet gun use case against students.

BJP's Criticism of Gandhi's Role as LoP

Union Minister Giriraj Singh, speaking in Mumbai, alleged that Gandhi had consistently failed to live up to the duties of the Leader of Opposition. Singh drew a historical parallel over the Vande Mataram row, claiming the Opposition was weaponising the issue. 'Rahul Gandhi is unfortunately the Leader of Opposition of India, but he has never fulfilled the duties of a LoP. Yesterday's incident was related to the pellet-gun case to remain in the media. The Opposition is talking about Vande Mataram. Even in 1937, it was removed under the pressure of Jinnah. And now Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of the country. He worked to restore it...' Singh said.

In West Bengal, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh questioned why Gandhi chose to travel elsewhere rather than visiting Jharkhand, where students have been protesting over issues directly affecting them. 'He isn't going to Jharkhand, where students are protesting for their own interest. Their government is in power there, and the decision taken by the government was proven wrong by the court. So now, there is nothing left for Rahul Gandhi to do...' Ghosh said.

BJP leader T.R. Sriniwas was more pointed in his attack, dismissing Gandhi's filing of an FIR at the Parliament Street Police Station over the Jantar Mantar demonstration as political theatre. 'Yesterday, there was entire FIR drama of Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament Street Police Station over the so-called Jantar Mantar fiasco. I would like to say to Rahul Gandhi, there was a drama in the late 80s and 90s called ‘Bakra Kishton Pe’. Now, what you are doing is ‘politics kishton pe’. This is what is happening. You are not a full-time politician, sir. You come at your leisure, do some drama, and go away. This is what you have done,' Sriniwas said.

TMC Backs Gandhi's Intervention for Students

TMC MP Saugata Roy offered a starkly different assessment, hailing Gandhi's role in the students' protest as a meaningful exercise of opposition leadership. Roy said, 'I am happy that Rahul Gandhi, as a Leader of the Opposition, fought for the students' cause. He staged a protest for nine hours, and finally, an FIR was registered regarding the police action and police atrocities against the students. This is a major achievement for Rahul Gandhi.'

Roy's remarks represent a notable moment of cross-party solidarity, as the TMC and Congress have often been at odds over electoral strategy in West Bengal.

Background: The Pellet Gun Case and Jantar Mantar Protest

The political flashpoint centres on the use of pellet guns by police against protesting students, a matter Gandhi brought to the Parliament Street Police Station by filing an FIR. His protest at Jantar Mantar lasted nine hours, drawing both supporters and critics. The BJP has framed the move as a media stunt, while opposition voices argue it reflects legitimate accountability for alleged police excesses.

Notably, the episode also intersects with the broader Vande Mataram controversy, which the BJP has used to question the Opposition's nationalist credentials — a recurring pattern in Indian political discourse ahead of state elections.

Political Divide in Focus

The contrasting reactions underscore the widening fault lines over Gandhi's conduct as LoP — a role he assumed after the Indian National Congress (INC) improved its seat count in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. For the BJP, his actions represent selective and performative opposition. For the TMC, at least on this occasion, they represent a meaningful stand for citizens' rights. How Gandhi navigates this dual scrutiny — from both rivals and nominal allies — will shape perceptions of his leadership in the months ahead.