The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the JDU-BJP government in Bihar, accusing it of authoritarian behaviour after Rahul Gandhi was allegedly stopped from holding a student interaction event at the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Despite alleged police interference, Rahul Gandhi managed to reach the venue by foot, asserting his commitment to communicate with Dalit, backward, and underprivileged students about issues surrounding education and employment. The event, titled ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’, marked the launch of a public interaction initiative ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed outrage, calling the state government’s actions “the height of dictatorship.”

“Is communicating with Dalit, deprived and backward class students against the Constitution? Is it a sin to talk to them about their education, recruitment exams, and jobs?” Kharge questioned in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He further added that Bihar—the birthplace of democracy—will remember this injustice and give a "befitting reply" to the ruling alliance of Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party when elections arrive.

Tense scenes in Darbhanga

According to Congress leaders, Gandhi’s vehicle was stopped at the gate of Mithila University, where the Ambedkar Hostel is located. However, he proceeded on foot via a side route, determined to meet the students.

Speaking at the event, Gandhi addressed the central government's delay in conducting a caste census and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to it “out of fear of the deprived sections of society.”

“As you all are aware, my car was stopped at the gate. But I did not relent. I got out and took a circuitous route to reach here on foot,” said Rahul Gandhi, addressing a highly engaged student crowd.

He added that the opposition, including Congress, will continue to amplify the voices of the marginalised and underrepresented groups.

Congress calls out police action, defends public rights

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a video of the police stopping Rahul Gandhi and strongly condemned the alleged obstruction.

“India is a democracy. It is governed by the Constitution—not by dictatorship. No one can stop us from raising our voice for social justice and education,” Ramesh wrote on X, attaching a clip that showed police personnel at the university gate.

He described the act as a direct attack on democratic rights, particularly the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech.

The Congress party also expressed its anger at suggestions by local authorities to shift the venue to another location, calling it an unacceptable attempt to suppress dialogue with underprivileged students.

Backdrop of Bihar Assembly Elections and National Caste Debate

The Shiksha Nyay Samvad initiative was launched as part of Congress’s broader campaign across Bihar, a state with significant backward and marginalised populations. With assembly elections expected later in 2025, this outreach is seen as a major political move by the opposition.

The event gained greater political significance because it happened soon after Prime Minister Modi indicated acceptance of a caste census, a demand long championed by opposition parties, including the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Gandhi’s message tied into this broader caste discourse, asserting that the ruling government was forced to act only because “the voice of the deprived has grown stronger.”

Strong symbolism in venue choice: Ambedkar Hostel

The Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, where the programme was intended to be held, symbolises educational empowerment for Dalits and backward classes. Holding the dialogue there was clearly a strategic move to underscore Congress’s focus on social justice, especially in the wake of national debates on caste, education, and job opportunities.

Kharge and other Congress leaders said denying Gandhi the chance to speak there amounts to silencing Dalit voices, as the interaction was specifically aimed at understanding the challenges faced by marginalised student communities.

Political battlelines harden

The incident has further polarised political narratives in Bihar. Congress leaders insist that the state government is attempting to muzzle dissent, particularly voices that speak for the rights of the marginalised.

In contrast, sources in the Bihar government claim law and order protocols were followed, and Gandhi was only asked to move the venue, not barred from addressing the public altogether.

However, Congress maintains that this is part of a broader pattern of suppression, citing previous instances where opposition leaders were prevented from conducting outreach events.

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