Conspiracy similar to one behind violence in France, Bangladesh hatched by anti-India gangs to instigate youth: Rijiju

Union minister Kiren Rijiju alleged on Sunday (October 18, 2026) that a "conspiracy" similar to one that led to violent incidents in France and Bangladesh earlier was hatched here by "anti-India gangs and some politicians" to instigate youngsters and spread violence on the streets.

But those who hatched such a "dangerous conspiracy" forgot that India is neither Bangladesh nor France, Mr. Rijiju said, launching a fresh attack on the opposition and others who held a series of protests in Delhi this month against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Anti-CEC protest LIVE updates on October 18

A change of government in India is "certainly possible", but only through elections, "not through Soros", the Parliamentary Affairs Minister added.

Hungarian-American political activist George Soros and his organisations, such as the Open Society Foundations (OSF), have been accused by India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of acting against India's interests.

Mr. Rijiju made the remarks in a post in Hindi on X and shared a short video showing recent comments made by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, All India Students' Association (AISA) leader Neha Bora, socio-political rights activist Yogendra Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

"The violent incident that occurred in Bangladesh and the riots, arson and looting that took place in France -- a similar conspiracy was hatched for India as well. Anti-India gangs and some politicians had colluded to incite youngsters and spread violence on our streets," Mr. Rijiju said.

"But those who devised this dangerous conspiracy forgot that India is neither Bangladesh nor France," he said, adding, "'Satta parivartan' [change of government] in India is certainly possible but only through elections, not through Soros."