Mallikarjun Kharge attacks Modi government over youth issues, Ram temple donations at Congress Working Committee meeting

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked the Modi government over issues ranging from youth employment and education to alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, donations to the Ram Mandir trust and reports of Chinese encroachment along India's borders.

Sharing excerpts on X from his opening remarks at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Kharge said India's young population was struggling to find quality education and meaningful employment.

"Education is becoming more expensive, schools are being closed, and even after studying, our young people face paper leaks, irregularities in recruitment examinations and delays in appointments," Kharge said.


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He recalled former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's focus on young people, education and skills, saying Congress must put forward a clear roadmap linking education to employment.

"Today, Congress must put forward a clear Education-to-Employment roadmap so that our young people have better opportunities and a more secure future," Kharge said.

Kharge also raised the issue of accountability over donations received by the Ram Mandir trust.

"Serious questions continue to arise about the money, gold and other donations received by the Ram Mandir trust. People have a right to know how these donations are being accounted for and used," he said.

"Any financial wrongdoing must be properly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable," Kharge added.

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He also demanded answers from the government on reports of Chinese encroachment along India's borders, while stressing that national security should not be used for political purposes.

"We have the highest respect for our Armed forces, but questions about the government’s position and the situation on our borders must be answered by them. The people deserve transparency about what is happening along our borders," he said.

Kharge framed the issues as questions of trust in the government.

"At the heart of all these issues is one simple question: Can people trust this government?" he said.

"Can our young people trust this government with their future? Can citizens trust it to be transparent about public money and donations? And can the country trust it to tell the truth about national security?"

The remarks came as top Congress leaders met at Indira Bhawan for the CWC meeting, chaired by Kharge, to discuss the political situation and the party's strategy to step up pressure on the government on issues concerning students and the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple.

Former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal, and senior leaders were among those attending the meeting. Congress chief ministers A Revanth Reddy, V D Satheesan, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and D K Shivakumar were also present.