Chirag Paswan: Student platforms must not be exploited for political gains
Synopsis
Chirag Paswan drew a sharp line between genuine student advocacy and political opportunism, calling out both Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' events and Tejashwi Yadav's Bihar student outreach as falling short of real action. His own counter-example — meeting students and then going straight to the Chief Minister — frames this as a contrast in governing style, not just rhetoric.
Key Takeaways
Chirag Paswan on 28 August warned that student platforms must not be used for political purposes.
He targeted Rahul Gandhi 's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' events and Tejashwi Yadav 's meeting with student protesters in Bihar .
Paswan criticised Yadav for meeting students but failing to communicate their demands to the Chief Minister .
He claimed he personally met students and then went to the Chief Minister's residence, saying issues have been 'resolved to an extent.' Paswan also expressed condolences over Nepal flash flood deaths, noting the tragedy coincided with Raksha Bandhan , and said a helpline has been launched for missing Indians.
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV) chief Chirag Paswan on Friday, 28 August cautioned against the political appropriation of student movements, asserting that platforms meant for students should not be weaponised for partisan interests. His remarks, made in Patna, came amid a wave of youth-led agitations across the country.
What Paswan Said
Paswan's comments were directed at two opposition leaders — Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who has been conducting 'Chhatron ki Goonj' events, and Bihar Leader of Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who recently met student protesters in the state.
'Chhatron ki Goonj is alright but my only concern is that the students' platform should not be used for political purposes. If you genuinely want to become the voice of students, you should take up their issues and work towards finding solutions. Merely creating a ruckus is not enough,' Paswan said.
Criticism of Tejashwi Yadav
Paswan was particularly pointed in his critique of Tejashwi Yadav's engagement with students protesting over alleged inconsistencies in competitive examinations in Bihar. He acknowledged that Yadav's visit was a positive democratic gesture but argued it fell short of meaningful action.
'You went and met the students, and I was very pleased to see that. That is the beauty of democracy. When the ruling party and the opposition come together and raise their voices, we can work towards finding a positive solution. But what did he do? He went there, clicked pictures with them, and then didn't have any contact with them. He should have communicated the demands of the students with the Chief Minister, who is the one taking decisions,' Paswan said.
Paswan contrasted this with his own approach, stating he met the students and then proceeded directly to the Chief Minister's residence to seek a resolution. 'Today the things have been resolved to an extent,' he added.
Condolences Over Nepal Flash Floods
Paswan also extended condolences over the deaths caused by flash floods in Nepal, noting that the tragedy coincided with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. 'This is a deeply tragic incident for all of us, especially as it occurred around the festival of Raksha Bandhan. It is indeed a very painful time,' he said.
He underlined that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is making every possible effort to extend assistance to the disaster-hit nation. He also noted that a helpline has been launched for Indians reported missing in the floods, and expressed hope that normalcy would be restored in Nepal soon.
Broader Context
Paswan's remarks come at a politically charged moment, with student protests over exam irregularities and competitive exam controversies having gained momentum across several states. The opposition's outreach to student communities has drawn both praise and scrutiny, with ruling alliance leaders accusing them of using genuine grievances as political fodder. This is not the first time the student movement has become a flashpoint between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition ahead of state elections.
Point of View
He is crafting a 'responsible coalition partner' image at a time when student unrest is a live electoral issue in Bihar. The broader warning to Rahul Gandhi also signals that the NDA is watching the Congress's campus outreach closely. What this framing sidesteps, however, is the structural question: whether the exam irregularities that triggered the protests have been genuinely addressed, or merely managed enough to reduce political heat.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chirag Paswan say about student platforms and politics?
Chirag Paswan said on 28 August that student platforms should not be used for political purposes. While he acknowledged the value of opposition leaders engaging with students, he argued that such engagement must go beyond optics and actually work toward resolving students' demands.
Why did Paswan criticise Tejashwi Yadav?
Paswan criticised Tejashwi Yadav for meeting student protesters in Bihar but then failing to communicate their demands to the Chief Minister. He contrasted this with his own approach of meeting students and then going directly to the Chief Minister's residence to seek a resolution.
What is 'Chhatron ki Goonj' and why did Paswan mention it?
'Chhatron ki Goonj' is an outreach initiative by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi aimed at engaging with students. Paswan referenced it to argue that such initiatives are acceptable in principle but must not become vehicles for political mobilisation at the expense of genuinely addressing student grievances.
What did Paswan say about the Nepal flash floods?
Paswan expressed condolences over the deaths caused by flash floods in Nepal, noting the tragedy coincided with Raksha Bandhan. He said India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is extending all possible assistance and that a helpline has been launched for Indians reported missing in the disaster.
What is the background to the student protests in Bihar?
The student protests in Bihar were triggered by alleged inconsistencies in competitive examinations in the state. The agitation drew visits from opposition leaders including Tejashwi Yadav, and became a political flashpoint between the ruling alliance and the opposition.
