Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his address at Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), accusing him of turning an interaction with students into a political exercise instead of addressing concerns related to education, employment and the future of young people.
In a post on X, Kharge said Modi’s visit to SRCC on Saturday offered an opportunity to engage with students on issues affecting the country’s youth, but alleged that the speech instead became another political campaign.
Kharge also attacked what he described as the government’s repeated use of labels for political opponents, arguing that such rhetoric diverts attention from governance-related questions.
Kharge Lists Youth Concerns
Kharge said the youth have their own “report card” and listed unemployment, delays in government recruitment, examination paper leaks, rising education costs, reduced scholarship opportunities and concerns over university autonomy among the issues that, according to him, require attention.
He contrasted these concerns with the Prime Minister’s presentation of the government’s achievements at SRCC.
“Outreach is only needed when you become out of reach,” Kharge said, while urging the Prime Minister to listen to students and address their concerns.
The Congress chief also referred to expressions including “Naraz Fufa”, “Dimaagi Naxal”, “Urban Naxal”, “Khan Market Gang”, “Andolanjeevi” and “Parjeevi”, arguing that the descriptions used against critics may change while, in his assessment, the government’s policies remain unchanged.
Modi’s ‘Naraz Fufa’ Remark
Kharge’s comments came a day after Modi addressed students at SRCC during the college’s centenary celebrations.
During his speech, Modi referred to critics of government initiatives as “Naraz Fufa” — or “angry uncles” — describing them as people who question the need for new projects whenever work begins.
Modi cited initiatives such as high-speed trains, UPI, the Statue of Unity, semiconductor manufacturing and the new Parliament building while arguing that critics had questioned similar projects in the past.
The Prime Minister also spoke about what he described as India’s transformation since 2013 and presented his government’s record on development and economic progress to the students.
‘Dimaagi Naxal’ Reference Draws Opposition
Modi also referred to his earlier use of the term “Dimaagi Naxal” during his SRCC address.
He said the phrase had triggered strong reactions from his opponents and compared his approach to giving a “homeopathic” dose that gradually reveals its effect.
The remarks have become another point of criticism from the Opposition, with Kharge arguing that political labels should not replace answers to questions raised by young people.
Congress Pushes Youth Outreach
The exchange comes amid the Congress's efforts to engage young voters through its “Chhatron Ki Goonj” campaign.
The party has sought to highlight issues concerning education, employment, recruitment and students. Modi, in his SRCC address, also referred to the campaign while criticising what he described as an “echo of lies”.
The competing narratives underline the growing political focus on young voters and students, with both the government and Opposition seeking to frame their respective records and priorities before the youth constituency.
Political Debate Shifts to ‘Report Cards’
Kharge’s response effectively turned Modi’s “report card” presentation back on the government, arguing that young Indians have their own assessment of the country’s performance.
The Congress president’s intervention also reflects the broader political contest over how issues such as employment, education, examinations and economic opportunity are being discussed with younger voters.
For now, the exchange remains primarily political: Modi has used the SRCC platform to highlight his government's development narrative, while Kharge has challenged that narrative by pointing to what he describes as unresolved problems facing students and young people.
