On June 10, 2025, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, wrote a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising serious concerns about the educational challenges faced by marginalised communities. The Congress leader highlighted two major issues — poor hostel conditions and delays in post-matric scholarships, which he said severely affect the future of students from Dalit, ST, OBC, EBC and minority backgrounds.

Critical Education Issues Flagged by Rahul Gandhi

In the letter, Rahul Gandhi emphasised that over 90 percent of students from marginalised communities depend on hostel facilities and government scholarships to continue their education. Any systemic failure in these two areas, he said, directly hinders educational access and opportunity for these students.

He noted that during his recent visit to the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, he personally witnessed the deplorable conditions in which these students are forced to live.

Rahul Gandhi Describes Shocking Hostel Conditions

In his letter, Rahul Gandhi wrote that 6 to 7 students were being forced to live in single rooms. The hostel lacked basic hygiene, had unsafe drinking water, non-functional toilets, and no access to mess food, libraries, or even internet facilities. These basic gaps, he said, reflect a failure of the state and central government’s commitment to social justice.

Such conditions are not only inhumane, he said, but they also cripple the academic prospects of students who already face discrimination and economic hardship.

Delay in Post Matric Scholarships Raised as National Crisis

The second major issue highlighted in the letter was the long-standing delay in disbursing post-matric scholarships. Rahul Gandhi cited Bihar as a key example, stating that the state’s scholarship portal was non-functional for three years, resulting in zero scholarships being disbursed in 2021–22.

Even after the system was restored, the number of beneficiaries dropped sharply. According to Gandhi, the number of Dalit students receiving post-matric scholarships in Bihar halved, from 1.36 lakh in FY 2022–23 to 0.69 lakh in FY 2023–24.

He also added that scholarship amounts remain abysmally low, making it difficult for students to cover even their most basic educational expenses.

Wider Implications Across India

Rahul Gandhi clarified that while he used Bihar as an example, the problems he described are prevalent across India. Poor implementation of scholarship schemes, administrative bottlenecks, and lack of monitoring have created obstacles for students from marginalised groups in multiple states.

He stressed that these systemic issues need national-level solutions, and urged the Prime Minister to act immediately.

Rahul Gandhi’s Demands to the Prime Minister

In his letter, Rahul Gandhi called for two urgent actions from the central government:

1. Nationwide audit of hostels for students belonging to Dalit, Scheduled Tribes (ST), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minority communities. This audit should ensure that every residential hostel meets minimum standards for hygiene, infrastructure, food, sanitation, and access to libraries or digital tools.

2. Time-bound disbursal of post-matric scholarships. Gandhi demanded that the central government must ensure the timely release of scholarship funds, increase the scholarship amounts in line with actual education costs, and collaborate closely with state governments to ensure smoother execution of the scheme.

Importance of Education Equity for National Growth

Rahul Gandhi ended his letter with a powerful message:
India cannot progress unless the youth from marginalised communities also progress. Without access to proper housing, sanitation, and financial support, these students are being unfairly pushed out of the education system.

He asked the Prime Minister to treat this issue with the urgency and seriousness it deserves and take immediate steps to correct institutional failures that are costing millions of students their future.

Congress’ Broader Focus on Social Justice

This appeal from Rahul Gandhi is part of a larger campaign by the Congress party to integrate the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar into a unified narrative of social justice, equality, and inclusive development.

In recent weeks, the party has consistently raised issues around educational rights, employment, and housing for the marginalised, both inside and outside Parliament. The current letter is seen as a strategic move to pressure the government and rally public opinion on this critical matter.

Reactions and Political Context

The letter has already drawn reactions from various civil society organisations, student unions, and education rights groups, who have long been demanding better hostel conditions and timely scholarships for underprivileged students.

While the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has promised better transparency through portals like NSP (National Scholarship Portal), the ground-level execution continues to face delays, corruption, and lack of awareness among eligible beneficiaries.

This direct letter from the Leader of Opposition places the issue at the highest political level, increasing the pressure on the government to act decisively.

The Need for Immediate Action

If not addressed quickly, the lack of educational support for marginalised students could deepen existing social and economic inequalities in the country. Rahul Gandhi’s letter underlines a growing frustration among students who depend on government support for higher education.

Ensuring clean and safe hostels, functional libraries, internet access, and adequate financial aid are not just student welfare demands — they are basic rights in a just democracy.

Disclaimer

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