Rahul Gandhi Calls Out the Govt for Missing Hostels for Girl Students, Puts the Question Straight to PM Modi

New Delhi – On a breezy Saturday in Indore, a city that’s usually a BJP strong‑hold, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi turned the spotlight on a problem that many girls across the country face every day – the sheer shortage of decent hostels.

He recounted a conversation he had with a young woman who had trekked from a remote village to pursue higher studies. “She asked me, ‘The government can afford to light diyas, why can’t it fund our hostels?’” Gandhi quoted her, adding that the girl now lives in a paying‑guest (PG) accommodation because there’s no government‑run hostel nearby.

The situation, he explained, is more than just an inconvenience. “She’s shell‑shocked by the rent, worried about safety, and constantly living on the edge of becoming homeless while trying to focus on exams,” he wrote in Hindi on his social‑media post.

Gandhi didn’t stop at the anecdote. He reminded the nation that a sizable number of girl students drop out simply because they lack a roof over their heads. The existing housing allowance, he noted, “has not kept up with inflation and is riddled with corruption.” He then turned his gaze straight to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking, “Do you have any answer for that little girl’s question?”

Supporting Gandhi’s remarks, Pawan Khera – head of Congress’s media and publicity department – lashed out at the current administration, saying, “Modi has money for designer clothes, luxury cars, aircraft, even skincare, but not for the education of our youth. No hostels, no quality teachers, no training, no jobs – the list goes on.” He added a pointed comment that the Prime Minister’s own degree seems almost irrelevant in light of his alleged disdain for education.

The episode was part of the fifth edition of Gandhi’s youth outreach programme, “Chhatron Ki Goonj.” The theme for the day was “System versus Students,” a nod to the perception that the establishment fears inquisitive minds. Gandhi painted a picture of a “rotten system” that prefers obedient “andh‑bhakts” over curious students who ask questions about recruitment, examinations, and future opportunities.

He went on to name‑check several senior figures – PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and industrial titans like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani – accusing them of wielding undue influence over the country’s political, institutional, and economic fabric.

While the event drew cheers from many young attendees, critics say the speech was more political theatre than a concrete plan. Still, the core issue – the dearth of safe, affordable hostels for female students – resonated loudly, echoing a concern that has long haunted policymakers and parents alike.

As the debate unfolds, the hope remains that the conversation will translate into action, because, as Gandhi reminded everyone, education should never be a luxury that only a few can afford.