Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met students on hunger strike amid the ongoing student movement and backed their three key demands. He said the students are demanding the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, punishment and accountability for those allegedly responsible for violence against protesters, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi rejected any proposal to shift Pradhan to another ministry, calling for his removal from the Cabinet instead. He also accused the government of suppressing the student movement and said the organizers and perpetrators of alleged violence must face action. Addressing the protesters, Gandhi praised them as the future and strength of India and urged them not to be intimidated by measures such as metro closures or alleged pressure from universities. He declared that the students would not back down and criticized the government over its handling of education, institutions and the Constitution.


