Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the police crackdown on protesting unemployed youth in Patna, Bihar. Taking to social media, Gandhi accused the BJP of using lathis (batons) as their solution to the unemployment crisis in the country.
Gandhi's Criticism
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "The BJP's answer to unemployed youth is lathis. Instead of providing jobs, they are breaking the legs of those demanding employment. This is the reality of the Modi government's 'skill India' and 'startup India' campaigns." He further added that the Congress party stands with the youth and will continue to fight for their rights.
Background of the Protests
The protests in Patna were organized by various student and youth organizations demanding government jobs and filling of vacant positions in state departments. The demonstration turned violent when police resorted to lathi charge and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Several protesters were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment.
The Bihar government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has faced criticism from opposition parties for its handling of the unemployment issue. The state has one of the highest unemployment rates in India, with thousands of youth applying for a limited number of government positions.
Political Reactions
The Congress party has been vocal in its criticism of both the state and central governments. Other opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Left parties, have also condemned the police action. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "The BJP and its allies are afraid of the youth's power. They cannot answer their questions, so they use force."
The BJP, however, defended the police action, stating that the protests had turned violent and that the police were forced to act to maintain law and order. Bihar BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar said, "The protestors were blocking roads and damaging public property. The police acted within their rights to control the situation."
Unemployment in Bihar
According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Bihar's unemployment rate in 2024 stood at 9.2%, significantly higher than the national average of 6.5%. The state government has been under pressure to create more job opportunities, but progress has been slow. The recent protests highlight the growing frustration among the youth.
Rahul Gandhi's remarks come ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections in Bihar, where unemployment is expected to be a key issue. The Congress is part of the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in the state, which also includes the RJD and the Left parties.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on the right to protest and the use of force by authorities. Civil rights activists have condemned the police action, calling it an attack on democratic rights. The matter is likely to be raised in the ongoing session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
