A storm erupted in the Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi, during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, described society as comprising “students, idiots and andhbhakts,” triggering furious protests from the ruling NDA.
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI/ July 29, 2026: A heated exchange erupted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while speaking during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill in the Monsoon Session, referred to “three categories of people—students, idiots and andhbhakts,” prompting strong objections from the ruling NDA, which described the remarks as unparliamentary.
Speaking in the context of the recent nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, Gandhi recounted what he said was a conversation with an 18-year-old student. According to Gandhi, the student had classified people into three groups: students, idiots and andhbhakts.
Quoting the student, Gandhi said, “Andhbhakt is a person who is absolutely convinced that another idiot is God.”
Developing the argument, Gandhi contrasted students with what he described as those who rely on personality cults rather than truth.
“A student keeps running after the truth. The hallmark of a student is that he proudly wears the truth on his chest. The other type requires an image because the idiot is trying to pretend that he is God. And the andhbhakt is someone who is absolutely convinced that another idiot is God. So these are the three categories—the student, the idiot and the andhbhakt who follows the idiot,” Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi : Andh Bhakt is someone, who follows a Idiot and consider him as God.
Rahul Gandhi didn’t mention any political party or leader’s name, but still BJP started opposing it, even Om Birla also understood 😹🔥 pic.twitter.com/cS65VZPvcW
— Veena Jain (@Vtxt21) July 29, 2026
He appealed to lawmakers to respect students’ right to dissent and expression, arguing that the recent anti-paper leak protests reflected genuine public concern. Gandhi also claimed that even the children of BJP leaders would sympathise with the protesting students.
“There is nothing wrong with what happened, and every Indian should be proud,” he said, referring to the student movement.
His remarks immediately triggered protests from treasury bench members, with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rising to object.
“Had Rahul Gandhi not used unparliamentary words, nobody would have objected. He cannot use such unparliamentary language. The remarks should be expunged from the record,” Rijiju said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also demanded that the controversial words be removed from the proceedings.
As slogans and interruptions continued, Gandhi appealed to Speaker Om Birla to restore order.
“Maintaining order in the House is your responsibility. The moment I begin speaking, the treasury benches start shouting,” Gandhi told the Speaker.
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The confrontation intensified further after Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had authorised police firing on student protesters during the nationwide anti-paper leak agitation.
The BJP strongly rejected the allegation, calling it false and without evidence.
Rijiju described the charge as “baseless” and alleged that it amounted to a breach of parliamentary privilege. He demanded that Gandhi either substantiate his claim or withdraw it.
“On what basis has Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Home Minister ordered the police firing? If he has evidence, he should produce it before the House. Otherwise, he should apologise and withdraw his statement,” Rijiju said.
The controversy led to repeated interruptions during the debate, with members of the ruling alliance insisting that Gandhi’s remarks be expunged while Opposition members defended his right to criticise the government’s handling of the student protests.
