India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday addressed students and young job aspirants at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Prayagraj- Uttar Pradesh, where he said that the youth are the country’s greatest strength and called for their voices to be heard.
Rahul Gandhi addressed youth in Prayagraj, emphasizing their importance and hearing from Bihar job aspirant Himanshu about recruitment delays and hardship. Gandhi advised Himanshu that suicide is not an option and encouraged peaceful, democratic protest.
During the interaction, Rahul Gandhi invited several students from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to share their experiences. One emotional exchange with a job aspirant from Bihar became one of the defining moments of the programme.
Rahul Gandhi: Youth Are the Power of India
Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi said that no one is more important than the country’s youth.
“You are the power and the pride of India. When I say this, I am talking about every citizen of this country,” he told the audience. He also praised students who had participated in protests despite facing pressure and difficulties.
Referring to the youth, Gandhi said that many parents were not able to confront fear but the youth today voiced for change. He then invited students who had participated in recent protests to come on stage and share their stories.
Reality Check of Bihar Job Aspirant
One of the students, identified as Himanshu from Bihar, narrated the hardships he has faced despite qualifying as a B.Ed graduate.
He said his family sold land so that he could complete his education, but even after four years, recruitment for teaching jobs had not taken place.
The student alleged that whenever aspirants protested over delayed recruitment, they faced police action, including baton charges, detention and arrests.
While speaking, Himanshu became emotional and struggled to continue.
Seeing him visibly shaken, Rahul Gandhi interrupted and said, “Brother, relax. There is no problem. You are at home. Speak freely and don’t get scared.”
‘I Have Only Two Options’
Himanshu then continued and shared that he had been preparing for government jobs for nearly six years while living in Patna and spending around Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 every month on his studies.
Calling himself the son of a farmer, he said his mother constantly worried about arranging money for his education.
In an emotional moment, Himanshu said he often felt he had only two options left.
“I can either open a tea stall or commit suicide,” he said, adding that even after qualifying, finding a job paying ₹20,000 a month had become extremely difficult.
He also questioned the appointment of Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary as a professor,, said “he is at the age of 56 turned to be a professor without any interview. We all know that he is the right hand of Nitish Kumar.”
Despite his struggles, Himanshu said he would continue participating in protests and would not be intimidated.
Rahul Gandhi: Suicide Is Never an Option
Responding immediately, Rahul Gandhi told the student that suicide could never be the answer. He encouraged Himanshu to continue fighting democratically for his rights and not lose hope.
Addressing the wider audience, Gandhi praised the students for standing up against injustice.
“You have lit a torch in the darkness,” he said.
He reiterated that change should come through truth and non-violence, adding that hatred and violence could never solve problems.
“I have said this before-we will never work through hatred or violence. India’s culture is based on truth and non-violence, not hatred,” he said.
Warm Welcome in Prayagraj
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Prayagraj on Saturday afternoon and was welcomed by Congress leaders and workers, including Allahabad MP Ujjwal Raman Singh.
