New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a harsh criticism against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi after the latter accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of “capturing” the education system, terming it the “real enemy” of the students and wanting them to be “Andhabhakts (blind adherents)”.
Speaking during the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lower House, LoP Gandhi alleged that the education system had become increasingly privatised and claimed that the RSS exercised significant influence over educational institutions and policymaking.
Responding to the LoP’s remarks, Union Minister Piyush Goyal referred to the RSS as a “social, socio-cultural organisation” while stating that the Ministry of Education runs according to rules.
“The Department of Education has its own complete systems. Officers supervise all its systems, and our government is engaged in establishing good systems in the country. Unlike them, where a national advisory council and an extra-constitutional authority like Sonia Gandhi would run the government,” he told reporters outside the Parliament House.
Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, BJP MP Anurag Thakur said: “Every generation of theirs has a phobia of the RSS.”
“Perhaps they (Congress) do not know how significant the contribution of the RSS has been to this country. By repeatedly making such remarks against it, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are only revealing their own stature. I would only say that if they join a RSS ‘shakha’, they may gain some culture and understanding. Then they themselves will stop making such comments and will also understand the RSS,” he added.
In a self-made video, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said: “If the RSS files a defamation case against him (Rahul Gandhi), how will he respond? He will have to answer. Making baseless statements and speaking like a child does not reflect the conduct expected of the Leader of the Opposition.”
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi had also alleged that the RSS was attempting to impose what he described as a distorted version of history on students, instead of allowing them to think independently and pursue their own interests.
(IANS)
