Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, 17 June addressed hundreds of students at Kota's Dussehra Ground during the Chhatron Ki Goonj (Voice of Students) programme, launching a pointed attack on India's competitive examination system and vowing to fight against what he described as a crisis of student mental health and educational exploitation.

What Rahul Gandhi Said

Opening his address, Gandhi was emphatic that the gathering was not a political rally. 'I am very happy and honoured to stand before you in Kota. This is not a political meeting. This is about you and your future,' he told the crowd.

He held up a suicide note allegedly written by a student named Akanksha, using it to frame his central argument: 'This is not Akanksha's failure. It is the failure of our education system.' He alleged the system has increasingly become a mechanism for financial exploitation rather than genuine learning.

Attack on NEET, JEE and the Coaching Economy

Gandhi trained his criticism squarely on high-stakes competitive exams such as NEET and JEE, arguing that the current structure rejects far more students than it accommodates. 'Lakhs of students appear for these exams, but only a handful are selected. Parents spend lakhs of rupees on coaching. Our education system has become a system of rejection rather than selection. It humiliates students and pushes many towards depression,' he said.

He also cited a stark employment figure, claiming that of every 1,000 students, only around 12 secure employment. 'What happens to the rest? Some end up working as labourers, while others drive taxis or work in the gig economy. Today, a large number of engineering graduates are unemployed,' he said. The figure was not independently verified.

The 'Fight' He Announced

Before arriving in Kota, Gandhi had posted on X: 'Today, from Kota, we begin a fight with one objective, to ensure that no child's dreams are shattered and that no parent has to suffer the loss of a child. The pain of every family will now become the voice of students across the country.' The Congress also shared a video of his address on X.

Gandhi added that an ideal education system should enable students to dream big without imposing excessive financial burdens, and called for collective action: 'We must fight together to ensure that no child is ever forced to take a drastic step such as suicide.'

Arrival and Reception in Kota

Gandhi arrived in Kota by chartered aircraft at around 3:30 pm. He was received by Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Congress leader Sachin Pilot. A large number of Congress workers gathered at the arrival point, reportedly making it difficult for police to clear the route for his convoy.

Why Kota, Why Now

Kota has long been India's coaching capital, drawing hundreds of thousands of students annually for NEET and JEE preparation. The city has also recorded a troubling number of student suicides in recent years, making it a potent symbol for critics of the high-pressure examination culture. This comes amid sustained national debate over the NEET examination's integrity following alleged paper-leak controversies, which have intensified opposition pressure on the government over education policy. Gandhi's visit signals that the Congress intends to make student welfare and examination reform a sustained political and social campaign heading into future electoral cycles.