The Crossbill News Desk
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (August 8) used his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ programme in Prayagraj to focus on unemployment, education costs and recruitment irregularities, arguing that India's young population could be its greatest economic strength if given adequate opportunities.
Speaking at K.P. Ground, Gandhi invited several students onto the stage during the nearly 20-minute address and criticised the Union government over what he described as a shrinking job market, expensive education, paper leaks, limited access to credit and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on employment.
“You are the power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen,” Gandhi said.
“This evening, I want to speak to you about dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth),” he added.
Gandhi argued that opportunities for young people were being squeezed from multiple directions. He pointed to a decline in manufacturing, difficulties faced by young people in obtaining loans, leaks of examination papers and the potential replacement of jobs by artificial intelligence.
Drawing a comparison with countries such as China, the US and Russia, Gandhi said India's young population represented a much greater potential source of strength.
He also criticised the education system, saying families spend their savings on BA and MA degrees that often fail to translate into employment. He claimed that only around 12 out of every 1,000 young people secure permanent jobs.
Gandhi also sought to link India's youth and data-driven economy, appearing in a pink shirt instead of his usual white T-shirt. “Yuva (youth) + data = 21st century economy,” he said, pointing to a screen behind him.
The event had faced uncertainty over its venue before it was held. The Kayastha Pathshala Trust, which manages and is the official caretaker of KP Ground, had initially withdrawn permission for the programme, citing an Allahabad High Court order dated August 14, 2025, restricting the use of the ground to sports and educational activities.
The Trust had also cited waterlogging at the venue. The Congress, which is leading the campaign, had alleged that the withdrawal of permission was the result of pressure from the BJP. Permission was subsequently granted subject to certain conditions, according to Trust general secretary S D Kautilya.
Despite waterlogged patches and muddy conditions, the programme attracted a sizeable gathering. Students attending the event raised issues related to hostel facilities and competitive examinations.
Speaking about student protests taking place across the country, Gandhi said the young protesters had “lit a light in the darkness” by overcoming fear and contributing to change.
“We will never resort to hatred or violence. We will change the system with love and affection,” he said.
The Prayagraj event thus combined Gandhi's political attack on the government's handling of employment and education with an attempt to present young people as central to his broader political campaign, while urging students to pursue change without resorting to violence or hatred.
Speaking at K.P. Ground, Gandhi invited several students onto the stage during the nearly 20-minute address and criticised the Union government over what he described as a shrinking job market, expensive education, paper leaks, limited access to credit and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on employment.
“You are the power and pride of India; when I say this, I talk about every Indian citizen,” Gandhi said.
“This evening, I want to speak to you about dard (pain), data, and daulat (wealth),” he added.
Gandhi argued that opportunities for young people were being squeezed from multiple directions. He pointed to a decline in manufacturing, difficulties faced by young people in obtaining loans, leaks of examination papers and the potential replacement of jobs by artificial intelligence.
Drawing a comparison with countries such as China, the US and Russia, Gandhi said India's young population represented a much greater potential source of strength.
He also criticised the education system, saying families spend their savings on BA and MA degrees that often fail to translate into employment. He claimed that only around 12 out of every 1,000 young people secure permanent jobs.
Gandhi also sought to link India's youth and data-driven economy, appearing in a pink shirt instead of his usual white T-shirt. “Yuva (youth) + data = 21st century economy,” he said, pointing to a screen behind him.
The event had faced uncertainty over its venue before it was held. The Kayastha Pathshala Trust, which manages and is the official caretaker of KP Ground, had initially withdrawn permission for the programme, citing an Allahabad High Court order dated August 14, 2025, restricting the use of the ground to sports and educational activities.
The Trust had also cited waterlogging at the venue. The Congress, which is leading the campaign, had alleged that the withdrawal of permission was the result of pressure from the BJP. Permission was subsequently granted subject to certain conditions, according to Trust general secretary S D Kautilya.
Despite waterlogged patches and muddy conditions, the programme attracted a sizeable gathering. Students attending the event raised issues related to hostel facilities and competitive examinations.
Speaking about student protests taking place across the country, Gandhi said the young protesters had “lit a light in the darkness” by overcoming fear and contributing to change.
“We will never resort to hatred or violence. We will change the system with love and affection,” he said.
The Prayagraj event thus combined Gandhi's political attack on the government's handling of employment and education with an attempt to present young people as central to his broader political campaign, while urging students to pursue change without resorting to violence or hatred.
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