Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram on Thursday as part of an outreach initiative aimed at students and Generation Z. During the interaction, he addressed questions about student protests, women’s education, political figures and philosophy, while a humorous response comparing himself to Batman attracted widespread attention online.

Asked whether he was Batman, Gandhi replied, “Let’s just say that no one has ever seen me and Batman in the same room together.” The light-hearted remark contrasted with the largely serious subjects discussed during the session. Gandhi had invited questions through a post on X, saying he wanted to listen to young people and would answer as many of their queries as possible.

Responding to a question about protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, Gandhi claimed that India’s education system had “collapsed” and described it as unaffordable and oppressive. He said every administration—including the central government, Congress-led governments and the Jharkhand government—should listen to students and take corrective action, irrespective of political affiliation.

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The Jharkhand agitation entered its 13th day on Thursday, with six demonstrators continuing a hunger strike. The movement began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Students and job aspirants formed an 11-member delegation to negotiate with the state government and seek a resolution to the continuing impasse.

Asked for his message to young women fighting for access to education, Gandhi described women as one of India’s greatest strengths and called for greater representation in education, workplaces and public life. In other responses, he named Captain Amarinder Singh as his favourite politician from the BJP, citing their cordial relationship and the former Punjab chief minister’s knowledge of military history.

Gandhi also criticised the country’s education system for allegedly discouraging independent thought and accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of influencing it, a political claim likely to draw disagreement from the organisation and the ruling party. Discussing philosophy, he referred to figures including Gautama Buddha, Guru Nanak, Basavanna, Birsa Munda, Periyar, Mahatma Phule, Narayana Guru, BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi as influences on India’s Constitution.

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