Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), saying that outreach efforts become necessary only when a leader becomes “out of reach” from people.

Kharge’s remarks came after Prime Minister Modi addressed students at SRCC’s centenary celebrations in Delhi. During the event, Modi spoke about India’s economic progress, youth participation and the country’s development journey.

Taking a political swipe at the Prime Minister, Kharge alleged that the visit was an attempt to reconnect with young voters rather than address their concerns. He said issues affecting students and young people should receive greater attention.

The Congress leader’s comments were part of a broader opposition criticism of Modi’s interaction with students. Kharge accused the Prime Minister of turning the occasion into a political message instead of directly engaging with questions related to unemployment, education and other challenges faced by youth.

During his SRCC address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s economic growth and compared the country’s position today with the situation in 2013. He said India had moved from being counted among the “fragile five” economies to becoming one of the fastest-growing major economies.

The Prime Minister also interacted with students during his visit and travelled to the event through the Delhi Metro, a move that drew attention on social media.

The exchange between Modi and Kharge reflects the continuing political contest between the BJP-led government and the Congress over issues concerning youth, governance and public outreach.

While the government has highlighted direct engagement with students and citizens as part of its public communication strategy, the Opposition has questioned whether such interactions address deeper concerns faced by young Indians.