New Delhi, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi on Wednesday hit back at Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s criticism of the Opposition, alleging that the government’s own frustration was evident in the reported use of force against student protesters.
In an interview with IANS, Rijiju had said the Opposition was lacking confidence after repeated electoral defeats and was venting its frustration during Parliament sessions.
Responding to the remarks, Pratapgarhi said Rijiju was “a gentleman” but claimed he was not fully aware of the growing anger among students towards the government.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah did not come to the Parliament during the Monsoon Session,” Pratapgarhi said, alleging that the government’s frustration was reflected in various developments, including the reported use of pellet guns against student protesters near Parliament.
He also referred to allegations of AK-47 use against protesters in Bihar, claiming that the government was unwilling to listen to students and instead sought to impose its views on them.
Pratapgarhi said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had been listening to the demands raised by students and alleged that this was why the government had little else to say.
He claimed that student mobilisation was no longer limited to Generation Z, with even Generation Alpha taking to the streets over issues including school infrastructure.
“The government which writes off loans of industrialists does not have the money to improve schools,” he alleged, while questioning whether competitive examination application fees could be reduced to Re 1.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s use of the term “dimagi Naxal” during his Independence Day address, Pratapgarhi said the Prime Minister should exercise caution while making such remarks.
He alleged that students, authors, historians and others who question or protest against the government were being labelled as “dimagi Naxals”.
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