Describing Dharmendra Pradhan as the symbol of "corruption and destruction" within the country's education system, Rahul Gandhi declared that the protesting students would accept nothing less than the minister's removal from office. He asserted that merely transferring Pradhan to another ministry would not satisfy the students and insisted that he must be removed from the government altogether.
"We have come to know that there is talk within the government to move Pradhan to some other ministry. This will not be acceptable. Students are clear that Pradhan will have to go out of the government," Gandhi said.
Sharpening his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi referred to the Prime Minister's recent late-night video messages addressed to young people and said that students were demanding decisive action rather than assurances.
"The Prime Minister is busy making videos late at night these days. He says he is grateful for suggestions. But students are demanding action, not assurances. The Prime Minister must act and dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan," Gandhi said.
Reiterating the students' remaining demands, Gandhi pointed to an injury on the leg of one of the students standing with him and said those responsible for attacking the protesters must be held accountable. He demanded action against those accused of firing pellets and using batons on the protesting students.
"Those who have assaulted our students will have to pay the price. There should be action against those who fired pellets and used batons on the protesting students," Gandhi said.
Repeating his call for an apology from the Prime Minister, Gandhi said that, as the head of the country's administrative machinery, Narendra Modi should apologise to the students who were assaulted in Delhi.
Calling Prime Minister Modi India's "past" and students its future, Rahul Gandhi declared, "Past cannot fight the future."
He further stressed that he was only conveying the demands put forward by the students and described them as non-negotiable. "These are the demands of the students and they are non-negotiable," he said.
Neha Bora of the All India Students' Association, who participated in the 23-day hunger strike alongside fellow protesters at Jantar Mantar, said the delegation had a productive discussion with Rahul Gandhi regarding India's education system. She also reiterated the demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The meeting has added fresh political momentum to the ongoing student protest, with the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's dismissal remaining at the centre of the movement. The protesters continue to press for accountability over the alleged assault on students and seek action on their demands concerning the country's education system.
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