Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has once again raised his voice for social justice and the right to education. He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing serious concern over the delays in scholarship disbursements to students from underprivileged communities.
New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has initiated a new effort to bring the plight of marginalized students into national discourse. He wrote a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the serious educational challenges faced by students from Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, and minority communities across the country.
In his letter, Rahul Gandhi drew the government's attention not only to the delays in scholarships but also to the dilapidated condition of hostels and the lack of basic amenities. He stated that if these issues are not addressed promptly, millions of young talents will be left behind due to lack of resources.
Scholarship Delays: A Major Hurdle
Gandhi's letter specifically highlighted the delays in the disbursement of post-matric scholarships. He claimed that nearly 90 percent of students from marginalized communities rely on such schemes, but the delayed payments either halt their studies or prevent them from accessing higher education.
Citing the example of Bihar, he mentioned that the state's scholarship portal remained defunct for three years, resulting in no scholarships being disbursed in 2021-22. This, he argued, not only reflects the failure of the government system but also pushes a generation's future into darkness.
Deplorable Hostel Conditions
Rahul Gandhi, referencing his recent visit to Bihar, also shared details about the poor condition of the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga. He reported that:
- 6-7 students are forced to share a single room.
- Toilet and water facilities are in disrepair.
- Basic services like food, library, and internet access are unavailable.
- He termed this situation a "mockery of the right to education" and urged the Prime Minister to take immediate action.
Demand for Policy-Level Reforms
Rahul Gandhi urged the Prime Minister that the government needs to take immediate policy-level decisions on these two crucial aspects:
- Introduce transparency and speed into the scholarship disbursement system.
- Ensure basic amenities in hostels so that students from poor and marginalized communities can receive education with dignity.
- He also suggested that the scholarship portal be maintained permanently and updated to prevent students from being affected by recurring technical glitches.
Education Becoming a Battle for Amenities
Rahul Gandhi's letter highlights that education in India remains a 'dream' for many students, hampered by lack of facilities and administrative negligence. He also stated that if improvements are not made in time, not only will students suffer, but the country's social justice system will also be questioned.
According to political analysts, this letter is not just a formal request but a strategic initiative by Rahul Gandhi to build trust among the country's youth and marginalized sections. He has previously openly raised issues related to student politics, unemployment, and youth concerns.
