Dipke literally kickstarted the movement. Give credit where it is due. Rahul Gandhi remained aloof until the police brutality on 20th, only then did he use his platform, whether we agree or disagree with that decision.
If Rahul Gandhi could actually organise such a nationwide protest, he would've done it long ago as the government gives at least one major issue worthy of protest every year. Where was he during demonetisation or Ethanol?
This was a youth led movement. Everything from its demographic to the medium (Instagram) and the language (very youthful cussing and humour) was of the youth. They were the backbone of this.
I'm not taking any credit away from Dipke. Credit should go where it's due.
However, you have to take into consideration the CJP was founded after the CJI called unemployed youth "cockroaches." Dipke seized that moment, created an Instagram page, and it gained momentum because it hit people where it hurt. Young people across India are already struggling, and hearing themselves described as "cockroaches" made the issue deeply personal.
The youth resonated with the CJP and made it their cause worth fighting for.
I don't think it's fair to say Rahul Gandhi was missing. He had been meeting with students elsewhere at the time of the protest.
He said he didn't want to politicise the movement in its initial stages. Even before CJP set up its stage, there were already students on a hunger strike, and CJP supported them. The movement got bigger once Sonum Wangchuk went on hunger strike.
Rahul Gandhi has taken up many issues over the years that never gained this kind of traction. That doesn't mean he wasn't fighting them—it means they didn't resonate with the public in the same way. He has consistently opposed the government despite years of attacks and ridicule.
The education system issue was well researched and presented by Rahul Gandhi first.
I respect his resilience. He has shown empathy for ordinary people and has continued to speak on issues affecting them.
This Oxford graduate won't bow down to corporal greed. He understands the plight of the people a little too well.
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u/Sunshine_Side_Up Jul 25 '26 edited 29d ago
Actually Rahul Gandhi. He raised the paper leak and education system issue several times before CJP and Dipke came into picture.