Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led “double-engine” government, a day after the alleged lathi charge on teacher aspirants protesting on the streets of Patna. In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Gandhi condemned the police action, stating that the Bihar Police had brutally beaten once again teacher aspirants who were holding a peaceful protest demanding employment.
He criticised the government’s approach toward unemployed youth, remarking that the BJP's response was the lathi (baton). Highlighting the broader issue of joblessness, Gandhi said unemployment has become the greatest malady facing the country today, with its most severe impact on the youth in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
According to him, large numbers of educated young people are struggling to find jobs despite having degrees and qualifications. He further accused the BJP government of being indifferent to their concerns, stating that when youth protest for their rights, they are met with force instead of opportunities.
Concluding his remarks, Gandhi asserted that young people are no longer willing to remain silent and emphasised that the Congress party stands firmly behind them. Rahul Gandhi's statement came in the backdrop of a massive protest that erupted in Patna on Friday, as thousands of teacher recruitment aspirants staged peaceful demonstrations demanding the immediate release of the Teachers Recruitment Examination-4 (TRE-4) recruitment advertisement by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).
The protest turned tense near JP Golambar when police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd after demonstrators allegedly attempted to breach barricades. Several students sustained injuries during the incident. Videos and visuals circulating from the protest showed police chasing demonstrators through nearby roads, while several aspirants claimed they suffered injuries during the crackdown.
According to an official, nearly 5,000 candidates participated in a march from Patna College to the BPSC office, demanding clarity regarding the release of the TRE-4 notification. The aspirants accused the commission of repeatedly creating confusion about the advertisement schedule and delaying the recruitment process.