Kiren Rijiju alleged that anti-India groups and politicians plotted to incite youth-led street violence. The claim intensified a political row over regime change, protests and democratic rights.
Rijiju invoked the unrest in Bangladesh and France in his post, while the broader BJP campaign against the Opposition has also drawn comparisons with the political upheaval in Nepal. (File Photo: ITG)
New Delhi,Oct 18, 2026 18:06 IST
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday claimed that anti-India groups and some politicians had plotted to incite youth-led street violence in India, drawing parallels with the unrest in Bangladesh, Nepal and France.
In a post on X on October 18, Rijiju claimed the plan had failed, asserting that a change of government in India could take place only through elections.
“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 the youth and spread violence on our streets. But those who devised this dangerous conspiracy forgot that India is neither Bangladesh nor France,” Rijiju wrote.
“Regime change in India is absolutely possible—but only through elections, not through Soros,” he added, referring to billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
Rijiju’s remarks came amid a political row over comments by All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan on the idea of regime change.
The BJP has cited their remarks to accuse Opposition leaders and activists of seeking to destabilise the government through street mobilisation.
PRASHANT BHUSHAN, NEHA BORA REMARKS SPARK ROW
Bhushan, speaking at a press conference in Delhi, said: “Zaroor regime change hoga, hum log chahte hai regime change ho (Regime change will certainly happen. Yes, we want regime change)."
His comments came amid protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The BJP has cited Bhushan’s statement as evidence that the protests are aimed at changing the government, while critics of the ruling party have argued that political change and electoral reform are legitimate democratic demands.
Bora, meanwhile, credited Bangladesh’s 2024 student uprising with inspiring young people in India to mobilise around democracy and voting rights.
In a video message to Bangladesh’s Socialist Students’ Front (SSF) on October 14, Bora said: “We know that the Gen-Z movement that we are seeing in India first started in Bangladesh. Congratulations to you for showing us the way.”
She said young people in India were fighting for democratic and voting rights and added that Indian activists were drawing inspiration and lessons from movements led by their counterparts in Bangladesh.
The BJP has interpreted the remarks by Bora and Bhushan as support for a Bangladesh-style change of government through street protests. However, their statements have also been framed by supporters as calls for political change and the protection of democratic rights.
BANGLADESH, NEPAL PROTESTS IN POLITICAL DEBATE
Bangladesh witnessed months of student-led protests in 2024, initially sparked by opposition to government job quotas. The demonstrations expanded into a wider movement against the government of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who left the country in August 2024 after her government collapsed.
The unrest involved widespread violence, with hundreds reported killed.
Nepal also witnessed a major youth-led uprising in September 2025. The protests began amid anger over a government ban on several social media platforms and wider grievances over corruption and nepotism.
Demonstrations escalated into deadly clashes, arson and attacks on government buildings, eventually leading to the resignation of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
In France, protests over the cost of living and public services have also featured in the political debate, with demonstrations in some areas turning violent.
Rijiju invoked the unrest in Bangladesh and France in his post, while the broader BJP campaign against the Opposition has also drawn comparisons with the political upheaval in Nepal.
The minister argued that attempts to replicate such developments in India would fail and that governments could be changed only through elections.
His reference to Soros echoed wider BJP allegations that foreign interests were attempting to influence or destabilise Indian politics. Rijiju did not provide evidence in his post to substantiate his claim of a conspiracy.
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