New Delhi, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused the Congress of practising “selective” democracy, targeting the party over the police action against protesting students in Jharkhand.
Pradhan alleged that Congress adopts different positions depending on whether it is in power or seeking political gains, accusing the party of using misinformation and creating disruptions while failing to address students’ concerns through Parliament.
In a post on X, the BJP leader accused Congress and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of misleading students and making what he described as baseless allegations against the government.
“Congress is continuously spreading lies regarding students’ interests; Rahul Gandhi lacks facts,” Pradhan said, alleging that Gandhi avoids Parliament while raising issues outside it.
He also defended Union Home Minister Amit Shah against Congress criticism, saying the government was prepared to discuss every issue in Parliament, but the Opposition was disrupting proceedings.
Pradhan said Congress’ approach to democracy was “selective”, alleging that the party was responsible for violence against youth in states where it is in power while resorting to “lies and commotion” where it sees political opportunity.
“The brutality against students in Jharkhand has been witnessed by the entire country. But the question is, why is Rahul Gandhi, who holds press conferences on every issue, maintaining silence today?” he said.
Pradhan also accused Congress of following a political mindset reminiscent of the Emergency era and said there was no place for dictatorship in a democracy.
His remarks come amid the ongoing agitation by Jharkhand students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and the police action during their march towards the state Assembly.
Earlier, on August 9, Pradhan had spoken about his resignation as Education Minister, saying he had approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the concerns of students protesting over the NEET examination controversy.
Speaking at events in Sambalpur and Rairakhol on August 8, Pradhan said attempts had been made to mislead the younger generation during the protests, but maintained that he had no personal interest in retaining the ministerial position.
“Gen Z is our children. Some people attempted to mislead them. I had no personal issues then,” he had said.
Pradhan also highlighted the aspirations of India’s youth, noting that around two crore children are born in the country every year and that their aspirations would be central to India’s ambition of becoming a “Vishwa Guru”.
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