The BJP Event Aimed to Bring Youngsters on the Right Path, He Said

BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri stirred controversy by claiming that puncture repairmen and locksmiths outnumbered students at last month's Jantar Mantar protest against exam paper leaks. Speaking Sunday at a BJP-organized "Gen Z Sammelan" in Tughlaqabad, the former South Delhi MP said 20,000 to 50,000 children were misled into joining the protest, adding that unemployed individuals and workers like puncture fixers and locksmiths were present in greater numbers than students. He questioned whether any Indian could speak about Prime Minister Modi in such terms, referring to alleged abusive language used at the stir.

Bidhuri called the Jantar Mantar attendees "misguided Gen Z" who were emotionally manipulated with pictures of dead children, and claimed they later partied in five-star hotels. He alleged the movement was carried out with opposition help to spread lawlessness, describing it as a "naked dance to derail democracy" with an attempt to attack Parliament. The BJP event aimed to bring youngsters on the right path, he said.

Opposition leader Atishi remarked that if Bidhuri is called for GenZ outreach, no one can save the BJP. Congress MP Danish Ali called Bidhuri part of a hateful faction that searches for caste, religion, or profession behind public voices. Bidhuri has previously faced criticism for comments about Atishi's father, Priyanka Gandhi's cheeks, and communal slurs against BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali in 2023.