Lok Sabha witnessed a massive uproar on Wednesday after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju objected to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s use of the terms “idiots” and “Andh Bhakts” during his speech, calling the language “unparliamentary”. The controversy erupted minutes after Gandhi began his speech on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026
Recounting a conversation with a group of young students, Gandhi said that a true student is someone with an “open mind and open heart” who accepts that they do not know everything and remains willing to learn.
“I thought I would give a speech about the next generation. What should be a starting point of my speech? So I thought a good point would be a conversation I had with some students, young girls. It was their perspective, but I agree with it. The question I asked was, you said to me you’re a student, what does it mean? Does it mean you study in a college, school or read books? She gave me the most beautiful answer. She said a student is someone who has an open mind and open heart, who right from the beginning accepts that they do not know anything. A student understands that they will be superseded with new knowledge, that the universe keeps changing,” he said, recalling the conversation.
“What’s the most important of a student? She said humility. She said there is another group of people who are absolutely convinced that they know everything, that the universe is static. I said, what do you call these people? She said, I call them idiots,” Gandhi remarked.
“She said there are two categories. A lawyer, doctor, unemployed youth can be a student. It’s the thirst to learn and understand. What about these idiots? She said they don’t listen. So there are three categories — Students, Idiots, and Andh Bhakts… Andh Bhakts who follow the Idiots,” he remarked.
The comments triggered an immediate protest from the treasury benches.
Interrupting Gandhi’s speech, Rijiju said, “We don’t want to disrupt your speech, but you used unparliamentary language… You continue, but don’t use that language.”
Speaker Om Birla was seen attempting to diffuse the situation as the uproar continued in the House.
The House was subsequently adjourned till 2:30 pm.