Education Privilege of a Few, Free Thinking Attacked in India: Rahul Gandhi in Peru

Education Privilege of a Few, Free Thinking Attacked in India: Rahul Gandhi in Peru

RMN News Report Highlights:

🧠 The Congress leader stated that the idea of free thinking, being open, scientific, and logical is under “tremendous attack” in India, requiring defense against the erosion of scientific temper.

🗳️ Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led central government of a “wholesale attack on Indian democracy” and alleged that the BJP wins elections through tactics like EVM manipulation and fake electoral rolls.

🏫 Gandhi called for a comprehensive reform of the Indian education system, stressing that learning must not remain “a privilege of a few” and should reflect the diversity of tribal, middle, and lower caste communities.

🗣️ BJP leaders labeled Rahul Gandhi the “Leader of Propaganda” (LoP) for denigrating Indian democracy on foreign soil, while analysis suggested his overseas rhetoric is “all drama” that will have no real impact on Modi.

RMN News Political Desk
New Delhi | October 13, 2025

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, has recently concluded a visit to South America, including stops in Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Chile. During engagements abroad, Gandhi launched a dual critique against the BJP-led central government, accusing it of a “wholesale attack on Indian democracy” and suppressing independent thought within the nation’s education system.

Speaking during interactions with students at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and the University of Chile, the Congress leader called for a comprehensive reform of the Indian education system. He stressed the need for education to reflect India’s diversity and ensure that learning does not remain “a privilege of a few”. Gandhi asserted that education must begin with curiosity and the freedom to think openly and ask questions “without fear or constraint—political or social”, highlighting that accessible education is the “very foundation of freedom”.

Systemic Bias and Suppression of Scientific Temper

Gandhi criticized the current state of education in India, arguing that it has largely served the interests of the upper castes. He stated that the system neglects the history, traditions, and contributions of the country’s middle and lower castes, as well as tribal communities (Adivasis). He expressed his vision to include the history, traditions, and thought systems of Adivasis, middle caste, and lower caste communities.

The Congress leader also voiced concern that “the idea of free thinking” was under attack in India under the present dispensation. He remarked that the idea of being open, scientific, and logical is under “tremendous attack” currently, and that defending this idea is his fight. Gandhi specifically noted that the erosion of scientific temper over the past decade must be addressed.

He further pointed out that rising costs and privatization have limited access to quality education. Gandhi claimed that the government has “stepped back from education and allowed private players to dominate”. While acknowledging space for private institutions, he insisted the government must actively invest more in education and ensure high-quality, low-cost education for all, rather than “abdicating its responsibility”.

Allegations of Electoral Manipulation and Centralized Corruption

In addition to his focus on education, Gandhi leveled serious charges against the Modi regime regarding democratic integrity and corruption during an interaction at EIA University in Colombia. He accused the BJP-led government of a “wholesale attack on Indian democracy”.

Gandhi has held multiple campaigns detailing alleged election thefts by the BJP, which he claims wins elections through tactics such as EVM manipulation, fake electoral rolls, and various other “dirty tricks”. He also alleged a “huge level of corruption at the centralised level”, stating that this involves a few businesses with a “direct relationship with the Prime Minister”.

These allegations of electoral manipulation are documented in a recent political research report, “Unveiling the Smokescreen of Indian Democracy: Fabricated Factors Masking Electoral Manipulation“. This research alleges that the Modi-led BJP’s dominance relies on fabricated factors that mask underlying manipulation, leading to the claim that honest and educated candidates are often not elected because elections are allegedly not fair and transparent. The consequences, it is claimed, are that nearly 1.4 billion Indians are suffering under the Modi regime, grappling with unprecedented poverty, corruption, inflation, unemployment, lawlessness, and religious animosity.

BJP Attacks and Secrecy Concerns

Gandhi’s comments overseas drew sharp criticism from the BJP. The BJP leaders slammed his remarks, labeling him the “Leader of Propaganda” (LoP) for denigrating Indian democracy on foreign soil.

Analysis of the political situation suggests that because the main opposition party, Congress, led by Gandhi, is very weak, Modi and BJP will continue winning elections “at will”. It is suggested that unless Gandhi escalates his campaign to a level that compels the Modi regime to imprison him, his rhetoric both in India and abroad is viewed as “all drama to keep him busy and amused,” having no real impact on Modi.

The Congress party, meanwhile, described the dialogues during his tour as “insightful dialogues focused on education, democracy, and geopolitics and how India needs to carve its way forward in the multipolar world today”.