Modi politicised student interaction, alleges Congress chief Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Delhi's Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) represented a missed opportunity for genuine engagement with India's youth. Kharge contended that the Prime Minister had used the campus interaction primarily as a vehicle for political campaigning rather than addressing students' substantive concerns.

The Congress leader stated that such college visits should serve as forums for meaningful dialogue between the nation's leadership and younger generations. Instead, Kharge claimed, Modi chose to circumvent difficult questions posed by students, undermining the educational and developmental value of the interaction.

The criticism highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress over how senior government officials conduct public engagements. While the government typically frames such visits as initiatives to connect with youth and promote institutional dialogue, opposition parties have frequently challenged what they characterise as the politicisation of such platforms.

Kharge's remarks reflect broader Congress concerns about the appropriateness of partisan messaging in educational settings. The party has consistently argued that such forums should prioritise substantive policy discussion and address pressing issues affecting students, rather than serving electoral or political objectives.