Rahul Gandhi questions PM Modi over hostel shortages for female students, citing an Indore student’s struggle with PG costs, safety and education.

Introduction

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the shortage of hostels for female students, citing the experience of a student he met during the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Indore on September 19. Gandhi said the student had travelled from a village to Indore for higher education but had to live in a paying guest accommodation because she could not find a hostel.

In a post on X on Sunday, Gandhi highlighted the financial and safety pressures faced by students who move from villages to cities for education. He quoted the student as asking why government funds could be used for lighting diyas while adequate hostel facilities were unavailable for students.

Rahul Gandhi Questions PM Modi Over Hostel Facilities

Gandhi said the Indore student had moved from a village to the city to pursue her studies. In the absence of a hostel, she was reportedly forced to pay for a PG accommodation.

According to Gandhi, the situation creates multiple difficulties for female students, including accommodation expenses, concerns about personal safety and uncertainty over whether they will be able to continue living in the city.

He further claimed that some girls are forced to discontinue their education because they cannot find suitable and affordable accommodation near their educational institutions. Gandhi also questioned the adequacy of housing allowances, saying they do not keep pace with inflation and alleging that corruption affects their implementation.

‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ Focuses on Education and Employment

The remarks came a day after Gandhi addressed the fifth edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Indore. The programme focused on issues raised by students around education, recruitment, examinations, employment and the cost of pursuing higher studies.

During the event, students raised concerns about recruitment delays, examination-related issues, education costs and the shortage of hostels, including facilities for tribal students. Gandhi said students have a natural tendency to question institutions and authorities and argued that this questioning is important for a democratic society.

Gandhi also referred to the shortage of student accommodation while discussing the broader difficulties faced by young people pursuing education away from their home towns.

Gandhi’s Remarks on the ‘System’

At the Indore event, Gandhi alleged that a broader “system” was preventing students from freely asking questions about education, recruitment and institutions.

He described students as curious and questioning and used the term “andhbhakts” while criticising what he described as unquestioning support for those in power. These remarks were part of his wider political criticism of the functioning of institutions and the government.

Gandhi also named Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani while outlining his allegations about the influence of political and economic power.

Congress Leader Pawan Khera Joins the Criticism

Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera also responded to Gandhi’s post, criticising the Modi government over what he described as inadequate attention to education infrastructure.

Khera raised issues including student accommodation, teachers, training and employment. His comments represent the Congress party's political criticism of the government's education policies and priorities.

Student Housing Emerges as a Key Education Issue

The hostel question is particularly significant for students who move from rural areas to larger cities for higher education. For such students, accommodation can become an additional financial burden beyond tuition fees, transportation and study-related expenses.

At the Indore event, the shortage of hostels was raised alongside other student concerns. A tribal student also reportedly highlighted the shortage of hostel facilities for Adivasi students in the city.

The issue has also gained attention following the recent collapse of a PG building in Delhi that killed students. Gandhi referred to the incident while arguing for greater attention to student accommodation and safety.

Key Highlights

• Rahul Gandhi questioned PM Narendra Modi over the shortage of hostels for female students.
• The issue was raised after Gandhi met students at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Indore.
• An Indore student reportedly said she had moved from a village for studies but had to live in a PG due to the lack of hostel accommodation.
• Gandhi highlighted the financial burden of rent and concerns about safety.
• He claimed some girls discontinue their studies because they lack suitable accommodation.
• Gandhi also questioned the adequacy of housing allowances amid inflation.
• Students at the Indore event raised concerns about recruitment, examinations, education costs and hostel shortages.
• The Congress has framed student accommodation as part of a wider debate over education infrastructure and access.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on publicly available information and reports published by established third-party news organisations, including PTI-linked reports and coverage by Hindustan Times, India Today, The New Indian Express, The Economic Times and other media outlets. Political statements and allegations mentioned in this report are attributed to the respective speakers and should not be treated as independently established facts unless separately verified.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi’s latest remarks have brought the shortage of affordable and safe accommodation for female students into the wider political debate over education. The Indore student’s experience has highlighted how housing costs and safety concerns can become significant barriers for students who leave their villages to pursue higher education.

The discussion now puts greater focus on hostel availability, housing support and the broader infrastructure needed to ensure that students can continue their education without accommodation becoming an additional barrier.