Modi Imitating Rahul’s Outreach to Youth: Kanhaiya

NEW DELHI, September 5, 2026: Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar accused PM Modi of avoiding student concerns, calling his SRCC programme a PR exercise ahead of Delhi University elections.

Congress leader and CWC member Dr Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), alleging that the programme was designed as a public relations exercise and to benefit the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) ahead of the September 18 student union elections.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kumar claimed that Modi was “disturbed” by the success of the Congress-led ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ campaign, which has been drawing large numbers of students to interact with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Kumar alleged that the Prime Minister chose to visit SRCC at night because he was apprehensive about possible student protests during the day. He also claimed that attendance at the programme was selectively restricted and that several students and alumni were not allowed to participate.

The Congress leader said Modi should have addressed issues concerning education, unemployment, paper leaks and the alleged use of force against students protesting at Jantar Mantar.

He further alleged that the Prime Minister remained silent on school closures, student suicides and the NEET paper-leak controversy, while also raising issues including inflation and unemployment.

Taking a swipe at Modi’s claims over inflation, Kumar cited rising prices of essential commodities and fuel, while comparing current prices with those during the UPA government.

Kumar also accused the authorities of detaining students suspected of wanting to question the Prime Minister. He contrasted Modi’s 2013 visit to SRCC with the present situation, claiming that students could ask questions freely at that time but were now unable to do so.

“Modi has started copying Rahul,” Kumar said, referring to the Prime Minister’s efforts to engage with young people.

He also challenged Modi to fulfil an earlier ABVP promise of free metro passes for students, asking the Prime Minister to announce the measure by Sunday.

Kumar said the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ campaign would become a “harbinger of change” and alleged that Modi was being increasingly exposed on issues affecting young people.