Jaipur: Hundreds of students from private schools and colleges in Jaipur were verbally ordered to assemble at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Yuva Aakrosh’ rally held in the pink city on January 28. Various teachers present at the venue told The Wire that the principals of their respective institutions had received “verbal orders from the government”.
“Our principal gave us a verbal order to take the students to attend the rally. We were also asked to take photo of the students at the venue as a proof of their presence,” a teacher told The Wire on the condition of anonymity.
Deepshikha College of Technical Education, SS Jain Subodh PG College, Mehta College, Mahaveer College of Commerce and Poornima College among others, had made it compulsory for their students to attend the rally.
“We don’t understand why our institution made it compulsory to attend a political event. What purpose will it serve except creating “young” crowd?” a student from Deepshikha college told The Wire, requesting to remain anonymous.
Students from Mahaveer College of Commerce at the rally. Photo: The Wire
Some students were also heard raising slogans in favour of the Modi government, outside the venue. “Our leader is Modi but we can’t cheer for him inside. The Congress government in Rajasthan might just book us,” said a student from Poornima University.
Meanwhile, chief minister Ashok Gehlot lauded students for attending the rally in large numbers.
#RahulGandhi ji’s Rally today saw unprecedented presence of youth in large numbers from entire State. Young people were much enthused by Rahul ji’s assurance that Congress Party will take up their issues and stand with them.#Rajasthan#YuvaAakroshRally pic.twitter.com/tRvK3nWkoU
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 28, 2020
Rahul’s address
Rahul, in his address, focused on the pressing issue of unemployment. He didn’t speak about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act directly but referred it while calling out the communal agenda of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses the Yuva Akrosh Rally at Albert Hall, Ramniwas Bagh, in Jaipur on January 28. Photo: PTI
Addressing the rally, Rahul said, “People used to invest in India because they believed in our youth but the Prime Minister is not letting the youth do what they want to.”
“Today’s youth, while studying in schools and colleges, dream of unemployment. Modi ji had promised that he will create two crore jobs but in last year alone, about one crore youth lost employment,” he added.
He compared the GDP during the UPA’s time with that under the Modi government. “We had given 9% growth rate but even after changing the GDP calculation norms, Modi government is still at 5%.”
Students from a private BEd college in Jaipur enter the rally venue. Photo: The Wire
“I think Modi ji has not read economics. When we give money to the poor, they purchase commodities from the market, which in turn, leads to establishment of factories. Modi government has taken away the money from the poor and placed it in the hands of 15 rich persons in the country,” said Gandhi.
He also said that the companies don’t want to invest in India because of the persistent communal atmosphere in the country.
He challenged the PM to ask any student about the unemployment and reputation of India in the world, and listen to the answer.
