Gujarat Cabinet Minister Jitu Vaghani on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, demanding to know why Gandhi — vocal about student issues at Jantar Mantar in Delhi — had remained silent on the alleged crackdown against student protesters in Jharkhand. Vaghani made the remarks at a press conference held at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state office in Gandhinagar.

The Core Allegation

Vaghani alleged that students in Jharkhand had been subjected to what he described as 'atrocities' while peacefully raising concerns over competitive examinations, recruitment irregularities, and paper leaks. He claimed reports indicated the use of barbed wire, lathi charges, tear gas and water cannons against the protesters — treatment he called 'extremely serious and condemnable.'

'Why does Rahul Gandhi, who politicises students' issues at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, not see the pain of students in Jharkhand?' Vaghani asked. He alleged Gandhi had 'different standards for Delhi and Jharkhand,' pointing to the Congress–Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) coalition government currently in power in the state.

Press Freedom Concerns Raised

Vaghani also raised concerns about the alleged treatment of journalists covering the Jharkhand protests. He said videos had emerged showing reporters being handled 'improperly' while performing their duties. 'The media is an important pillar of democracy. Any attempt to prevent journalists from performing their duty is condemnable,' he said.

BJP's Stand on Exam Irregularities

On the broader issue of examination-related irregularities, Vaghani said anyone compromising the future of young people should face strict action. He noted that the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced stringent legal provisions against paper leaks, and questioned why similar mechanisms had not been put in place during previous Congress governments.

Parliament Disruption Charge

Vaghani extended his criticism to Congress's conduct in the ongoing Parliament session, alleging the party had been disrupting proceedings for 15 days and blocking discussion on national issues. He said Union ministers J.P. Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and Piyush Goyal had confirmed the government's readiness to respond in Parliament, and that Home Minister Amit Shah was prepared to give a reply.

He also accused Gandhi of spreading misinformation, referring to an alleged claim that firing had taken place at Jantar Mantar — a claim BJP president Nadda reportedly denied, stating that not a single shot had been fired. Vaghani demanded that Gandhi and Congress apologise for what he termed 'brutal atrocities' against students under the Congress–JMM government in Jharkhand.

The BJP's offensive signals an escalating political battle over the Jharkhand student protests ahead of what observers expect to be a contentious parliamentary week.