Rahul Gandhi Playing ‘Cheap Politics’, Says Pradhan on Odisha Student Case

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of engaging in "cheap politics" over the death of a college student in Odisha's Balasore district.

Mr. Pradhan asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have consistently taken concrete steps to ensure women's safety and justice, while accusing the Congress of exploiting every tragedy for political gain.

The statement followed Rahul Gandhi’s remark that the nation was seeking answers, not the Prime Minister’s “silence”, in response to the incident.

“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress playing cheap politics over the tragic incident involving a daughter of Odisha is deeply unfortunate. Turning such a serious and sensitive matter into a political weapon reflects @RahulGandhi’s petty mindset,” Mr. Pradhan wrote on X.

“The incident in Odisha has shaken the entire nation, yet the Congress has chosen to exploit it for political gain,” he said.

Mr. Pradhan stated that the BJP government in Odisha stands firmly with the victim's family and assured that the strictest action will be taken against those responsible.

“Now is not the time for cheap politics, but for ensuring justice for the victim’s family. Rahul Gandhi should apologise immediately for his irresponsible remarks,” he said.

A second-year B.Ed student of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College in Balasore died at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday night (July 14, 2025), after battling for her life for three days.

She had set herself on fire on the college campus on Saturday (July 12) in protest against the alleged inaction over sexual harassment complaints she had made against a professor.

In a post in on X, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the death of the young woman fighting for justice was a “direct murder by the BJP system.”

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed the brave student had spoken out against sexual exploitation, but instead of receiving justice, she was repeatedly threatened, harassed, and humiliated.

Mr. Gandhi said that those entrusted with her protection continued to oppress her instead.

“Like every time, the BJP system shielded the accused, leaving an innocent daughter with no option but to set herself on fire,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“This is not a case of suicide, it is a systemic, organised murder,” he alleged.

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former Congress president added, “Modi ji, whether it's Odisha or Manipur, the daughters of this country are burning, breaking, dying. And you remain silent. The nation doesn’t want silence, it demands answers.”

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