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Puncture fixers outnumbered students: BJP leader Bidhuri on Jantar Mantar protests

From Hindustan Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri claimed that people fixing tyre punctures and locksmiths outnumbered students at a recent protest against exam paper leaks.
  • He alleged that the protest at Jantar Mantar was manipulated, with unemployed individuals and workers misled into participating.
  • Bidhuri's remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Atishi and Danish Ali, who accused him of divisive rhetoric.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ramesh Bidhuri has ignited controversy with his assertion that attendees fixing tyre punctures and locksmiths outnumbered students at a protest last month. The demonstration in Jantar Mantar was held against alleged examination paper leaks.

puncture banane wale aur tala banane wale (those who fix tyre punctures and locksmiths) outnumbered students at the Jantar Mantar protest last month against examination paper leaks.

— Ramesh BidhuriBJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri's controversial claim about the composition of protesters.

Speaking at a BJP event called "Gen Z Sammelan," the former Member of Parliament from South Delhi claimed that between 20,000 to 50,000 youths were "misled or manipulated" into joining the protest. Bidhuri stated, "Unemployed individuals and workers like puncture lagane wale and taala banane wale were present in greater numbers than students." He also questioned the propriety of alleged abusive language used against Prime Minister Modi during the stir.

Between 20,000 to 50,000 children had been misled or manipulated into joining the (Jantar Mantar) protest. Unemployed individuals and workers like puncture lagane wale and taala banane wale were present in greater numbers than students.

— Ramesh BidhuriElaborating on his claim that genuine students were outnumbered by other groups at the protest.

Bidhuri characterized the attendees at Jantar Mantar as "misguided Gen Z," suggesting they were unaware of the facts and were emotionally manipulated using images of deceased children. He further alleged that the protest was orchestrated with the help of opposition parties to "spread lawlessness in India" and "derail democracy," even claiming an attempt to attack Parliament.

The ones at Jantar Mantar were misguided Gen Z. They had not been made aware of the facts. Pictures of dead children were used to emotionally manipulate them.

— Ramesh BidhuriDescribing the protesters as misled and emotionally manipulated.

Opposition leaders have strongly condemned Bidhuri's remarks. Atishi, Leader of Opposition and former Delhi Chief Minister, shared a video of his speech, stating that his involvement in a Gen Z outreach event signaled trouble for the BJP. Congress MP Danish Ali criticized Bidhuri, calling him part of a "hateful faction" that seeks out caste, religious, or professional divisions among those protesting for their rights. This is not the first time Bidhuri has courted controversy; he has previously faced criticism for offensive comments made during election campaigns and against other political figures.

The youngsters who had gathered at the BJP event were the 'real Gen Z'.

— Ramesh BidhuriContrasting the attendees at the BJP's event with those at the Jantar Mantar protest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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