New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks targeting critics of the government, accusing him of turning a Teachers’ Day address at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) into a political campaign.
Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister was avoiding questions from young people and using labels against the Opposition to divert attention from what he described as the government’s failures.
Kharge Questions PM Modi’s Outreach to Students
In a post on X on Saturday, Kharge said PM Modi’s visit to SRCC on Teachers’ Day, September 5, should have provided an opportunity to directly engage with students on issues related to education, employment and their future.
Taking a dig at the Prime Minister’s criticism of political opponents, Kharge said Modi’s “modus operandi” in a democracy was to suppress questions by giving the Opposition “a new adjective every year.”
‘Angry Uncle’ to ‘Parasite’: Kharge Lists PM Modi’s Labels
Kharge listed several terms that he claimed had been used against the Opposition and its critics over the years, including “Angry Uncle”, “Brainy Naxal”, “Urban Naxal”, “Khan Market Gang”, “Agitation-jiwi” and “Parasite.”
According to the Congress chief, while the adjectives may keep changing, what he called the Modi government’s “anti-people policies” remain unchanged.
Kharge also turned PM Modi’s remarks about outreach into a political attack, saying, “Outreach is only needed when you become Out of Reach.”
Kharge Presents ‘Report Card’ of Youth Issues
The Congress president then highlighted what he described as the youth’s “Report Card”, listing several concerns faced by students and young people.
Among the issues he raised were:
- Unemployment and limited job opportunities
- Delays in government recruitment processes
- Paper leaks affecting students
- Rising education costs
- Shrinking scholarship opportunities
- Concerns over university autonomy
Kharge argued that these issues should have been at the centre of discussions during the Prime Minister’s interaction with students.
PM Modi’s ‘Naraz Fufa’ Remark
Kharge’s criticism came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the centenary celebrations of SRCC.
During his speech, Modi criticised those who, according to him, habitually oppose major national projects and initiatives. He compared perpetual critics to a perpetually dissatisfied family elder, using the phrase “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle).
Modi cited examples including the Statue of Unity, Vande Bharat trains and the new Parliament building, arguing that some critics had opposed such initiatives from the beginning.
The exchange between Modi and Kharge has added another political dimension to the debate over the government’s outreach to young people and the issues facing students and job seekers.