'Let Them Fast, Then Lathi-Charge': Priyank Kharge Mocks Protesting Karnataka Students

Published 4 August 2026 · india

'Let Them Fast, Then Lathi-Charge': Priyank Kharge Mocks Protesting Karnataka Students Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 07:35 IST Priyank Kharge's comments came after

'Let Them Fast, Then Lathi-Charge': Priyank Kharge Mocks Protesting Karnataka Students Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 07:35 IST Priyank Kharge's comments came after protests broke out at a Civil Police Constable recruitment examination centre in Karnataka's Vijayapura district. The BJP launched a strong attack on Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge's remarks. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge triggered a political controversy after appearing to mock candidates protesting alleged irregularities in the Civil Police Constable recruitment examination, saying they could continue their agitation for weeks before facing a “lathi charge." The remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of hypocrisy over its claims of standing with students. Responding to demands for his resignation over the recruitment controversy, Priyank Kharge said, “Yeah, I will resign.

Let them first 25 days, let them go on hunger strike. Then if they don’t control, we will do one lathi charge, and then I will resign." His comments came a day after protests broke out at a Civil Police Constable recruitment examination centre in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district. Hundreds of aspirants boycotted the written examination at Sharadamba PU College in Tikota, alleging serious irregularities in the conduct of the test. Candidates claimed question papers were distributed nearly 30 minutes late and alleged inconsistencies in the distribution of question papers and OMR sheets across different classrooms. Many walked out of the examination hall, demanding that the test be cancelled and conducted afresh. Several aspirants said the alleged lapses unfairly affected candidates who had spent years preparing for the recruitment process.

Authorities, however, denied any irregularities, maintaining that the examination was conducted strictly in accordance with the Karnataka Examinations Authority’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Officials also said candidates who walked out carrying question papers and OMR sheets were not allowed to re-enter the examination hall because doing so violated KEA rules. The BJP launched a strong attack on Priyank Kharge’s remarks, with party MP Sudhanshu Trivedi accusing the Congress of exposing its “anti-student" mindset. “The Congress Party, which has been presenting itself as a champion of students’ interests in the NEET examination issue, has now been exposed," Trivedi said. Quoting Priyank Kharge’s remarks, Trivedi said, “If you want to demand my resignation, first go on a 25-day hunger strike and face lathi charges. Only then should you talk to me about resignation." “This statement exposes the hypocrisy behind the Congress Party’s claims of being sensitive towards students.