Govt must listen to Maharashtra students’ voice otherwise ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ will grow louder: Rahul

On September 6, 2026, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the ongoing protests by thousands of students in Maharashtra, stating that their trust in the entire system has been severely damaged. He urged the BJP government to listen to the voice of these students and take immediate action, or else the "Chhatron ki Goonj" will only grow louder.

Gandhi pointed out that the discontent among students is not limited to a single exam or recruitment issue, but encompasses a range of problems including paper leaks, delayed recruitments, exorbitant education costs, dismal hostel conditions, and fraudulent Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) transactions. He further alleged that the BJP-led administration has seized control of crucial bodies like the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), thereby undermining their credibility.

The Opposition leader emphasized that every legitimate demand from students regarding their future prospects is justified. He called on the government to heed the students' pleas and act promptly to restore justice, lest the students' grievances continue to escalate. This demand for reform emerged after the Maharashtra government formed a high-level committee to conduct a thorough review of the state's examination system, aiming to enhance its transparency, security, and overall candidate-friendliness.

The protests were sparked by grievances such as poor hostel conditions, poor safety of students, and leaks of exam papers. In response, the state government agreed to some demands and established a new panel to oversee reforms in the examination process.