By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: A tweet by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi invoking Gen Z while alleging “vote theft” by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has rattled the BJP and set off a stormy debate over democracy, youth politics, and accountability of institutions.
Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, declared that India’s youth — students and Gen Z — would “save the Constitution.” He accused the ECI of manipulating voter rolls in Karnataka to favour the BJP, citing additions and deletions of names. Gandhi claimed the Commission had failed to respond to 18 letters written by the CID on alleged irregularities.
The BJP hit back hard, accusing the Congress leader of attempting to destabilize the system. Party spokesperson R.P. Singh, speaking on News24, said Gandhi was “provoking India’s youth against the Modi government” and trying to spread anarchy. He argued that the Congress had “failed to defeat BJP democratically” and was now resorting to “undemocratic means.” Singh also accused Gandhi of hobnobbing with “anti-India elements” during his foreign visits.
The fiery debate escalated when anchor Puja Rathore Sharma pressed Singh on why the BJP seemed “scared of the word Gen Z.” Drawing parallels with youth-led agitations in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, she asked why the ECI had not yet probed Gandhi’s charges. “Do you believe Indian Gen Z is so gullible that they can be misled by Rahul Gandhi?” she asked pointedly.
Congress spokesperson Surender Rajput countered that young people had every right to question the government on employment, corruption, and their constitutional rights. “Rahul Gandhi has only called upon Gen Z to save the Constitution. What is wrong in that? Is telling the truth now considered a crime?” Rajput asked.
The debate has now widened, with leaders from other parties weighing in. JDU’s Anupriya Yadav, RJD’s Kanchna Yadav, SP’s Faraz Kidwai, and senior journalist Sheetal Singh have all highlighted the growing role of India’s youth in holding governments accountable.
With the BJP on the defensive and Gandhi doubling down on his claims, the controversy is shaping into a larger clash over whether India’s Gen Z will emerge as a decisive political force — and whether allegations of “vote theft” will dent the credibility of the Election Commission.