‘Machine that crushes dreams’: Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre ahead of ‘Echo of Students’ rally in Kota

KOTA (Rajasthan): Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called upon the youth to join his mega rally ‘Echo of Students’ in Rajasthan’s Kota, which will focus on issues such as alleged NEET-UG examination paper leaks, recruitment irregularities, and challenges faced by students and job aspirants.

In a Facebook post, Gandhi criticised the Central government, characterising it as a machine that has systematically “crushed” the aspirations of the youth for a better life throughout its 12-year tenure. “Every young Indian has the right to dream of a better life and success — and it is the government’s responsibility to fulfill those dreams. Yet, for 12 years, the Modi government has been a machine that crushes these very dreams,” he said.

Reaffirming that Congress stands with the youth against “corruption and oppression”, he said that, “together, we will transform the voice of students into a clarion call for change”. Earlier in the day, Gandhi alleged that paper leaks, exam mismanagement, cancelled recruitments, rising fees, privatisation and scams were shattering the dreams of millions of young Indians.

मेरे युवा और Gen Z साथियों,

एक बात मेरे मन में साफ़ है और आप भी इसे दिल में बैठा लीजिए: भारत के हर युवा का भविष्य सुरक्षित करना सरकार की ज़िम्मेदारी है।

पर ज़िम्मेदारी और ईमानदारी – दोनों मोदी सरकार की सोच से परे हैं।

पेपर लीक, परीक्षा कुप्रबंधन, रद्द होती भर्तियाँ, आसमान छूती… pic.twitter.com/i3MFdx3uw9

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 16, 2026

“My young and Gen Z comrades, one thing is clear in my mind, and you too should etch it in your heart: securing the future of every youth in India is the government’s responsibility. But responsibility and honesty–both are beyond the Modi government’s way of thinking,” Gandhi said on X.

Gandhi will spearhead a series of large student conventions across the country beginning in Kota, as the Congress steps up its campaign over alleged “examination scandals” and issues affecting youth.

According to Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, the events will later be held in Allahabad on July 10, Patna on July 11 and Delhi on July 14, bringing together students, job aspirants, youth organisations and educators.

“Rahul Gandhi will conduct a series of large student conventions starting with Kota (17 June), Allahabad (10 July), Patna (11 July) and Delhi (14 July), bringing together students, aspirants, youth organisations, educators and all those directly affected by examination scandals,” Venugopal said.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra on Wednesday criticised Rahul Gandhi over his proposed “Echo of Students” rally in Rajasthan’s Kota scheduled for today, alleging that the Congress leader was attempting to “mislead children” and create stress among students ahead of the NEET-UG examination.

Patra said Rahul Gandhi should display responsibility and accountability in public life. “Somewhere in the behaviour of Rahul Gandhi, there should be a sense of responsibility and accountability in his behavior. But we have always seen that Rahul Gandhi lacks responsibility; he never works with a sense of responsibility,” Patra said. (ANI)