Rahul Gandhi targets Prime Minister Modi over election integrity and language rights at Chennai youth event

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of manipulating elections and threatening democratic structures during a student gathering in Chennai on Saturday. Speaking at a packed venue after meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Gandhi claimed the central government was undermining regional identity, withholding educational funds, and suppressing student protests.

Political Attacks

Gandhi alleged that the administration was treating Tamil culture and history as secondary while pushing the three-language formula under the National Education Policy. He stated that New Delhi had withheld Rs 3,300 crore meant for the state's education sector and claimed that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test had caused a sharp drop in MBBS seats for Tamil-medium students. During his address, he also criticized the handling of student protests in the national capital and named several top officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while warning that constitutional norms would be defended.

Context

Tamil Nadu has a long history of protecting its regional language policy against central mandates, making language politics a sensitive issue in the state. High-profile political rallies involving national opposition figures often serve as platforms to build regional alliances and address local grievances ahead of upcoming electoral battles.