Manipur BJP protests against Congress, Rahul Gandhi over politicising student issue

The Manipur unit of the BJP, led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, staged a protest at Thambal Shanglen, the party's state office in Imphal, on July 22, accusing the Congress and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi of politicising student-related issues.

 

Party leaders and workers gathered with banners carrying slogans such as 'Stop Sponsored Anarchy' and 'Stop Manufactured Chaos', alleging that the Congress was attempting to undermine democratic processes. Several BJP leaders and supporters participated in the demonstration.

 

The protesters later marched to Congress Bhavan in Imphal and held a demonstration outside the party office. BJP spokesperson and MLA Thokchom Radheshyam, along with BJP State Secretary K. Sharat, was among those who took part.

 

Addressing the media, K Sharat criticised Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his actions were aimed at damaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image before the international community. He also accused the Congress of politicising a sensitive student issue and said the BJP's demonstration was organised as a counter-protest to the Congress' protest a day earlier, during which party leaders allegedly attempted to march towards the Prime Minister's residence.

 

Sharat further claimed that Rahul Gandhi would never become the Prime Minister regardless of the strategies adopted by his party.

 

During the protest, BJP workers raised slogans including 'Down Down Congress Party' and 'Student issue should not be politicised'.

 

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, in a post on social media, accused the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly attempting to politicise student issues and disrupt the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

 

The chief minister said the Centre had expressed its willingness to hold a comprehensive discussion on NEET in Parliament, but alleged that the Opposition had chosen protests over debate, including staging a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's residence in violation of established security protocols and causing inconvenience to the public.

 

He added that the government remains committed to addressing students' concerns through democratic debate, reforms and accountability, and said young people deserve "solutions, certainty and responsible leadership, not political theatrics."