Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Jattvibeday met two students, including 18-year-old Sarthak, who the Congress claimed had exposed alleged links between CBSE and COEMPT, with the party projecting them as symbols of youth-led accountability and questioning the government’s approach towards young people.Sharing details of the meeting, the Congress said Rahul interacted with Sarthak and his colleague Nisarg, who the party credited with bringing alleged irregularities into public focus.In a social media post, the Congress said the two students had achieved what “big media houses and investigative journalists could not”, alleging that they exposed collusion between the CBSE and COEMPT.The party also used the occasion to sharpen its criticism of the Centre’s handling of youth-related issues, accusing the government of discouraging questioning and critical thinking among young people.“India’s true youth power is curious, aware and informed. This is the nation’s future, which will not fall for any deception,” the Congress said.Rahul also praised the students, particularly Sarthak, describing him as someone whose “thought, courage and principles” stood out despite his age. “Sarthak is 18 years old — but in thought, courage and principles, second to none,” he said.Referring to the students’ work, the Leader of Opposition claimed they had exposed alleged links between the CBSE and COEMPT and questioned why institutions and investigative agencies had failed to uncover the matter earlier.“The country’s 18-year-old kid outpaced the CBI — this victory of the youth is truly the government’s defeat,” he said.The Congress leader also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of wanting young people to avoid difficult questions and remain disengaged from larger issues, while arguing that the students’ actions reflected a different kind of youth participation.