Filthy man, shields rapists: Rahul Gandhi attacks Education Minister Pralhad Joshi
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attacked newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, calling him "the most filthy type of man" and accusing him of "protecting rapists".
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, calling him "the most filthy type of man" and accusing him of "protecting rapists". Rahul Gandhi was apparently referring to Joshi's remarks defending the premature release of the convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gangrape case.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, where a 10-hour discussion on the anti-paper leak bill is underway, Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to appoint Joshi as Education Minister.
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"After all, these young people were protesting about the education system and so many girls are protesting. They've been beaten. Then the BJP puts up a man who's a defender of rapists. That's the most filthy type of man. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says that rapists need protection. That is the Education Minister of India," the Raebareli MP said.
Continuing his attack, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said it was "strange" that PM Modi had chosen Joshi despite having several other ministers in his Cabinet. "There are so many people in his Cabinet. He could have chosen any one of them, but he chooses a person who protects rapists. It's quite amazing," he said.
Rahul's remarks appeared to refer to Joshi's 2022 defence of the Gujarat government's decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case. Joshi had then said the premature release was granted in accordance with the law and the state's remission policy. The Supreme Court later paused the remission and ordered the convicts back to prison.
Responding to Priyanka Gandhi's allegations of him shielding rapists, Joshi rejected the charges and demanded an apology from her.
"Priyanka ji should have authenticated her statements. Action should be taken regarding the misinformation being spread. Can one simply say anything and get away with it? I refute these allegations. She should be expelled and must apologise," Joshi said amid uproar in the Lok Sabha, where a 10-hour discussion on amendments to the anti-paper leak law is underway.
DISCUSSION ON ANTI-PAPER LEAK BILL
Ending a week-long logjam, Lok Sabha on Tuesday began a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill, with Union Minister Jitendra Singh describing it as a reaffirmation of the government's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students and the youth.
Speaking on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, the minister of state in the PMO said the Modi government finished an unaccomplished task to bring a law to prevent examination malpractices in 2024.
The discussion on the bill came days after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Education Minister after massive student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Joshi was then handed the additional charge of the education ministry.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, calling him "the most filthy type of man" and accusing him of "protecting rapists". Rahul Gandhi was apparently referring to Joshi's remarks defending the premature release of the convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gangrape case.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, where a 10-hour discussion on the anti-paper leak bill is underway, Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to appoint Joshi as Education Minister.
FOLLOW PARLIAMENT LIVE BLOG UPDATES HERE
"After all, these young people were protesting about the education system and so many girls are protesting. They've been beaten. Then the BJP puts up a man who's a defender of rapists. That's the most filthy type of man. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says that rapists need protection. That is the Education Minister of India," the Raebareli MP said.
Continuing his attack, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said it was "strange" that PM Modi had chosen Joshi despite having several other ministers in his Cabinet. "There are so many people in his Cabinet. He could have chosen any one of them, but he chooses a person who protects rapists. It's quite amazing," he said.
Rahul's remarks appeared to refer to Joshi's 2022 defence of the Gujarat government's decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case. Joshi had then said the premature release was granted in accordance with the law and the state's remission policy. The Supreme Court later paused the remission and ordered the convicts back to prison.
Responding to Priyanka Gandhi's allegations of him shielding rapists, Joshi rejected the charges and demanded an apology from her.
"Priyanka ji should have authenticated her statements. Action should be taken regarding the misinformation being spread. Can one simply say anything and get away with it? I refute these allegations. She should be expelled and must apologise," Joshi said amid uproar in the Lok Sabha, where a 10-hour discussion on amendments to the anti-paper leak law is underway.
DISCUSSION ON ANTI-PAPER LEAK BILL
Ending a week-long logjam, Lok Sabha on Tuesday began a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill, with Union Minister Jitendra Singh describing it as a reaffirmation of the government's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students and the youth.
Speaking on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, the minister of state in the PMO said the Modi government finished an unaccomplished task to bring a law to prevent examination malpractices in 2024.
The discussion on the bill came days after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Education Minister after massive student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Joshi was then handed the additional charge of the education ministry.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on newly appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, calling him "the most filthy type of man" and accusing him of "protecting rapists". Rahul Gandhi was apparently referring to Joshi's remarks defending the premature release of the convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gangrape case.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, where a 10-hour discussion on the anti-paper leak bill is underway, Rahul Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to appoint Joshi as Education Minister.
FOLLOW PARLIAMENT LIVE BLOG UPDATES HERE
"After all, these young people were protesting about the education system and so many girls are protesting. They've been beaten. Then the BJP puts up a man who's a defender of rapists. That's the most filthy type of man. There can be no filthier man than somebody who says that rapists need protection. That is the Education Minister of India," the Raebareli MP said.
Continuing his attack, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said it was "strange" that PM Modi had chosen Joshi despite having several other ministers in his Cabinet. "There are so many people in his Cabinet. He could have chosen any one of them, but he chooses a person who protects rapists. It's quite amazing," he said.
Rahul's remarks appeared to refer to Joshi's 2022 defence of the Gujarat government's decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case. Joshi had then said the premature release was granted in accordance with the law and the state's remission policy. The Supreme Court later paused the remission and ordered the convicts back to prison.
Responding to Priyanka Gandhi's allegations of him shielding rapists, Joshi rejected the charges and demanded an apology from her.
"Priyanka ji should have authenticated her statements. Action should be taken regarding the misinformation being spread. Can one simply say anything and get away with it? I refute these allegations. She should be expelled and must apologise," Joshi said amid uproar in the Lok Sabha, where a 10-hour discussion on amendments to the anti-paper leak law is underway.
DISCUSSION ON ANTI-PAPER LEAK BILL
Ending a week-long logjam, Lok Sabha on Tuesday began a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill, with Union Minister Jitendra Singh describing it as a reaffirmation of the government's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students and the youth.
Speaking on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, the minister of state in the PMO said the Modi government finished an unaccomplished task to bring a law to prevent examination malpractices in 2024.
The discussion on the bill came days after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Education Minister after massive student protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Joshi was then handed the additional charge of the education ministry.
