New Delhi: Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has acknowledged that the party needs to introspect after a nationwide student movement drew greater public attention than Rahul Gandhi’s earlier campaign on the same issues.
In an interview, Tharoor said the concerns that dominated the student protests including examination paper leaks, recruitment transparency and reforms in the education system had already been flagged by the Congress through Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign. However, he admitted the campaign failed to create the same level of engagement among students and the wider public.
According to Tharoor, the difference in response should serve as a lesson for the party. Raising an issue, he suggested, is only one part of politics, ensuring that the message reaches and connects with people is equally important.
Rahul Gandhi launched the Chhatron Ki Goonj initiative from Kota, Rajasthan, on June 17, choosing the country’s coaching capital to begin a campaign focused on students concerns. During the outreach, he spoke about recurring examination paper leaks, pressures faced by aspirants and the need for reforms in the education sector.
Within days, student groups across the country began mobilising over similar issues. A major protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 20 soon turned into a wider movement, with participants demanding accountability over alleged paper leaks, greater transparency in recruitment examinations and action against those responsible. Protesters also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Reflecting on the sequence of events, Tharoor said the Congress cannot ignore the fact that the protests captured the public imagination in a way the party’s campaign did not. He stressed that understanding why this happened would be important as political parties prepare for future elections.
The Congress leader also underlined the growing political significance of young voters, saying Generation Z is expected to play a decisive role in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. He argued that parties across the political spectrum would need to engage with young Indians more effectively if they hope to earn their trust.
Speaking about the role of the Opposition, Tharoor said public demonstrations and parliamentary debates should go hand in hand. He maintained that people’s concerns must be voiced both on the streets and inside Parliament to ensure they receive adequate attention.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP also responded to criticism over sharing a platform with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. He defended the decision, saying democratic politics should encourage dialogue with people holding different viewpoints and that interaction should not be interpreted as ideological agreement. He also reiterated that political parties should allow space for internal debate and differing opinions.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has continued to support students protesting alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment. In his recent interactions, he has urged governments to address the concerns of young aspirants and strengthen transparency in the education and recruitment systems.
Tharoor’s remarks are being viewed as a rare public acknowledgement from within the Congress that political messaging alone does not guarantee public support. As education, employment and examination reforms remain key issues for millions of young Indians, his comments have sparked a wider conversation on how political parties connect with the country’s youth.
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