Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday came down heavily on the Central Government over the issues of economy, unemployment and unrest in the country. He also made a pro youth pitch saying that they are the power that can change the future of the country and the world.
Rahul was addressing a Yuva Aakrosh Rally at Albert Hall in Jaipur. The rally is first in a series of rallies that Rahul Gandhi is expected to address across the country in the coming days.
A National Register of Unemployed (NRU) was also launched on the occasion. It would be database of unemployed youth across the nation and would be handed over to the Union Government.
This is the first big solo Rahul rally since the Lok Sabha elections and the venue also had huge cut outs of the Congress leader. A section of party leaders feel that this is the first step in the road-map that has been drafted for Rahul’s return to the top party post from which he resigned after the LS debacle.
Rahul said the world is looking towards India to take on China in the manufacturing field.
He said, “We have the best, most intelligent youth in the world who have dreams and understanding and can change the world, that is our biggest asset. People would come to invest in India as they had faith in the youth of the country. But sadly today this asset is being wasted. PM Modi is not letting the youth do what they can do for the country. They go to colleges and get degrees, but not jobs. He said contrary to the promise of providing employment to 2 crore persons, over 1 crore youth had lost jobs in the last year.”
He said while there was 9% growth rate in the time of UPA, today it has gone down to 2.5%. Even if it is measured by the new way it is just 5%. He said at the time of the UPA government, money was given to the poor through MNREGA and right to food because that made the economy work. Factories worked when the poor had purchasing power and that is where the youth got jobs.
He accused the Modi government of having diluting MNREGA, abolishing right to food and giving that money amounting to 3.5 lakh crore to 15 rich people in the form of abolishing their taxes.
Rahul Gandhi said the entire world from US, Europe and Canada to Australia wants India to balance China and develop into a manufacturing capital.
“All companies that are in China want to come to India. Whenever they meet me they ask me; do you want us to invest in India. But earlier there was peace in India. Today we read every day that there is violence in India and people are fighting with each other. The government is spreading violence. Why should we invest in this atmosphere of violence when it is not sure what will happen tomorrow. This is what Narendra Modi has done to the country,” he said.
“He (PM) has spoilt the reputation and image of India in the world. The image of unity and brotherhood has been tarnished. Other countries of the world believe India to be a rape capital. Why have you done this, why is there unemployment,” said Rahul. He challenged the PM to go to any university of the country and answer the questions of the youth.
“I have come to give you a message. Congress understands that only one power can change the country – and that is the youth of the country. We understand that you cannot see a path forward and cannot see employment. But you will have to understand that your voice should not be stifled. Keep on saying what you are saying, keep asking questions. This is your duty and a huge challenge. But you the youth are the biggest strength in the nation. Don’t be scared, we are with you. Together we will stand together and change the nation,” said Gandhi.
Before going to the rally, Rahul Gandhi met Ministers from the Rajasthan government at the Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan Institute of Public Administration (HCMRIPA) where he took a feedback about the government from them. During the interaction that lasted around 40 minutes, Rahul asked them to ensure that the benefits of the government schemes and the government’s policies reach up to the grassroots level.
