Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a new signature campaign called ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (The Voice of Students), inviting students across India to raise their concerns about the education system directly with the government. The campaign focuses on long-standing student grievances such as paper leaks, high education costs, and the lack of fair job opportunities.
What is the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign?
Announced on Thursday, the campaign is being positioned as a platform for students to voice their demands rather than just a political programme. Sharing a link to the campaign on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi urged students to participate by adding their name, sharing their ideas, and signing an online petition.
The petition calls for three core changes: affordable education, fair examinations, and dignified employment opportunities for the country’s youth. According to Gandhi, the more people who sign, the stronger the collective “goonj” — or voice — of students will become.
In his message, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the campaign is meant for any student who has been affected by paper leaks, exam-related problems, or steep fees — especially those whose families have spent their savings on education.
Gandhi’s criticism of the education system
Alongside the campaign launch, Gandhi released a video message reflecting on his interaction with students in Kota, Rajasthan, a city widely known for its coaching centres. He raised three main concerns about the current system.
First, he argued that the education system is not designed around students or their imagination. Second, he said it does not help young people pursue what they genuinely want in life, instead pushing them into a fixed set of careers such as engineering, medicine, or law. Third, he pointed to the high cost of education as the most troubling issue.
Gandhi claimed that the money spent by families on competitive exam preparation is enormous, arguing that the financial burden placed on middle-class households has become unfair and excessive. He described the situation as a national issue rather than a political one, and called on students to share their own ideas for reform.
‘A rejection system, not a selection system’
At the Kota convention held a day before the campaign launch, Gandhi described India’s education structure as a “rejection system” rather than a “selection system.” He said the current setup is extremely stressful and places a heavy emotional and financial strain on students and their families.
He added that this stress is not good for the country, and expressed hope that students, families, and others could work together so that no student has to go through the distress that many currently face.
Why this matters for students
For students and fresh graduates, the campaign touches on issues that affect day-to-day academic life — the reliability and fairness of major entrance exams, the rising cost of coaching and higher education, and the gap between qualifications and real job opportunities. Whatever one’s political views, these are concerns that many students and parents across the country relate to.
The campaign invites students to participate simply by visiting the official link, entering their details, sharing suggestions, and signing the petition.
Stay tuned to Campus Freshers for more updates on education news, exams, admissions, and policies that affect students across India.
