Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday described India's youth as the country's greatest strength as he used the themes of “dard (pain), data and daulat (wealth)” to target the BJP and the RSS. Addressing the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP Ground, Gandhi told the gathering, “You are the power and pride of India. When I say this, I am talking about every Indian citizen.” “This evening, I want to speak to you about dard, data and daulat,” he said. Gandhi said that while there was considerable discussion about countries such as the US, China and Russia, India's young population remained unparalleled.
‘Youth plus data equals 21st century economy’
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said India's large young population and the enormous amount of data it generates would be key drivers of the country's economy in the 21st century. “India has the youth and the maximum data in the world. Youth plus data equals the 21st century economy,” Gandhi said.
He argued that artificial intelligence depends on data generated by people and claimed that while the data belonged to India's youth, the economic benefits were being cornered by large corporations. “Data is yours, youth potential is yours, but the system has trapped you in a ‘chakravyuh’,” he said. Gandhi also compared excessive consumption of social media content to an addiction, saying young people were encouraged to spend their time watching reels and using platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram.
‘Data is yours, wealth is theirs’
Pointing to images of industrialist Gautam Adani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat displayed on a screen behind him, Gandhi said, “Data is yours, pain is yours, but wealth is theirs? This is the system.” The Congress leader claimed Adani's income had increased 30-fold over the past decade and alleged a quid pro quo with the government. He also claimed that the BJP's bank balance had increased from around Rs 150 crore to Rs 10,000 crore.
Gandhi targets RSS
Turning his attack towards the RSS, Gandhi alleged that another aspect of the “system” was an attempt to control how people think. He claimed RSS functionaries had been placed across the bureaucracy, media, judiciary, paramilitary forces, universities and colleges. “This is a way to control your thinking. This is their system,” Gandhi said.
Raises unemployment and paper leaks
Gandhi also raised concerns over unemployment and the value of educational qualifications, telling the gathering that certificates had lost their meaning if they could not help young people secure jobs. “Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you a job,” he said. He alleged that students were caught between expensive education, unemployment and irregularities in recruitment examinations. “You spend money on education, work hard, but all the doors of employment are closed in India,” Gandhi said.
He blamed declining manufacturing, difficulties in accessing loans, examination paper leaks and the potential displacement of jobs by artificial intelligence for hurting employment prospects. “You study for years, and then there is a paper leak and some rich child or rich family buys the paper and destroys your future,” he said. Students Avinash and Ajay also spoke at the event, sharing their experiences of preparing for recruitment examinations and facing delays and alleged irregularities.
Hails students for protests
Gandhi praised students for leading protests over education and recruitment issues, including an agitation that culminated in the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “In this darkness, you did what your parents could not do. You faced your fear… You raised your voice not with hatred, but with love,” Gandhi said. He said the youth had “lit a light in the darkness” by confronting their fears and raising their voices.
‘Fight with love’
The Congress leader urged young people not to resort to hatred or violence while seeking change. “We will never resort to hatred or violence. We will change the system with love and affection,” Gandhi said. “You are India's spirit, you are India's future. You are the most beautiful youngsters in the world,” he added. “You are loving youth. You have to open a shop of love and fight with love.”
Gandhi addressed a large gathering of students and competitive exam aspirants who attended the programme despite waterlogging and muddy conditions at the venue. The event was preceded by performances by rappers from Mumbai. Ahead of the programme, the Congress had on Friday organised a motorcycle rally in the city led by its Uttar Pradesh president Ajay Rai.