‘Selective Democracy’: Dharmendra Pradhan Slams ‘Habitual Liar’ Rahul Gandhi Over Jharkhand Protests

Published 11 August 2026 · politics

News india ‘Selective Democracy’: Dharmendra Pradhan Slams ‘Habitual Liar’ Rahul Gandhi Over Jharkhand Protests ‘Selective Democracy’: Dharmendra Pradhan Slams ‘Habitual Liar’ Rahul Gandhi Over Jharkhand Protests Published By, Last Updated: August 11, 2026, 14:43 IST The leader's remarks come amid demonstrations by students over paper leaks in competitive examinations in Jharkhand, where the Congress is part of the ruling alliance. File image of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Education Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the party over the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand, accusing the Opposition of using the agitation for political gains while remaining silent when similar issues arise in states where it is in power. Pradhan’s remarks come against the backdrop of demonstrations by students over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive examinations in Jharkhand, where the Congress is part of the ruling alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). In a post on X, Pradhan alleged that the Congress was misleading students and questioned Gandhi’s engagement with Parliament and the ongoing agitation. “The leader of opposition, who habitually lies, neither wants to come to Parliament nor listen to answers. They just want to spread their lies and shed crocodile tears," Pradhan said.

The Sambalpur MP also defended the Centre and Union Home Minister Amit Shah against criticism from the Opposition, accusing Gandhi and the Congress of making allegations without evidence. “Making baseless, factless false accusations against the Honorable Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji reveals the political desperation of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress," he said. Also Read: ‘Govt Has Heard You’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Appeals For Peace After Protest Crackdown Pradhan Accuses Congress Of Blocking Parliament The BJP leader further alleged that the government has remained open to discussions on issues raised by the Opposition, but claimed Congress was preventing Parliament from functioning. “The government is ready for discussion in Parliament on every issue, but Congress is obstructing the temple of democracy, Parliament House, and crushing the interests of the country and the youth," he said. Turning his criticism towards the Congress-JMM government in Jharkhand, Pradhan accused it of applying different standards to democratic protests depending on whether the party was in power. “Congress’s democracy is also ‘selective’-violence against youth where they are in government, and lies and commotion where they want to shine politically," he said. He was referring to allegations of police action involving lathi-charge, water cannons and tear gas during the student protests.