Bereft of fresh issues and novel ideas, the young Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi on Thursday raised the issue of drug menace in Punjab once again, while ducking a volley of questions hurled at him by the Panjab University students.
He found himself at a loss for explanations, as students questioned him on one issue after the other. His non-responsiveness to emails containing suggestions, while acknowledging birthday wishes, too offered moments of laughter in the session that only saw the mooting of one concrete suggestion — tackling of the drug menace with the help of Congress’ student organisation — National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
Perhaps sensing not so positive coverage, the media was not invited to his varsity session. Announcements were, in fact, made time and again asking the media to leave. As this reporter managed to sneak in, it became apparent that the apprehensions on part of the organizers were not ill-founded.
Ahead of Rahul’s arrival in the varsity’s law auditorium — the venue of the interactive session, the organisers were repeatedly requesting the audience not to cross question the visiting leader.
Even after visiting the university after a two-year gap, Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of drugs menace in Punjab — three-four times during the entire session, asking the NSUI to start a vigorous campaign of which he would be an active part.
“You start a campaign from the medium of NSUI…and whenever you will start this campaign, tell me…I’ll come and be a part of this campaign,” asserted Rahul.His assertion came after a student once again brought to his notice that the drugs menace has worsen in Punjab in the two-year intervening period of his previous visit to the varsity in 2012.
During his PU visit in 2012, Rahul Gandhi had stated that out of every 10 youths in Punjab, “seven are into drugs”, earning the wrath of SAD-BJP-led Punjab government which had slammed the Congress leader for his “immature” statement.
“Some time back when I said that drugs is a serious issue in Punjab…and Akali Dal leaders made fun of me, denying any drug problem here…70 percent…60 percent…they start talking in terms of percentage. But, reality is that a state which once has been country’s strength is full of drugs eliminating the new generation. And you will realise its gravity not today, but after 10 years…it appears small now, but when the entire economy will collapse, you’ll get to know about it then,” he said.
Rahul asked the students to “actively counter” the drugs by reaching out to the universities, colleges, villages, towns, asking people to stop using drugs. He asked them to indulge in sports, education, but “shun drugs”.
Another student asked Rahul to “do something” to being back the Congress party on track after its “washout” from the country following 2014 poll debacle. Speaking in chaste Punjabi, he also drew his attention towards unavailability of suitable groom for his sister as every one in Punjab is “nashedi” (drug addict).
“Your this anger against the government would mark the comeback of the Congress… Congress party has lost an election. It is not down, but will come back with the support of all of you…Congress’ ideology is in the hearts of all you boys and girls…the passion among you will work for the Congress,” said Rahul asking the leaders of Punjab Congress present on the stage to tap the young bloods like the ones sitting in that hall.
All India Congress Committee secretary in-charge of Punjab Harish Chaudhary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress legislative Party (ClP) leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar, AICC secretary and Fatehgarh Sahib MlA Kuljit Singh Nagra, and NSUI national president Roji M John were accompanying Rahul Gandhi on the stage.
Out of power in Punjab and also at the Centre, all that Rahul Gandhi offered to the students was ‘assurance to help’ them, unlike his previous visit when the Congress-led UPA was in power. At that time Rahul had promised to realize varsity’s demand to give it ‘central status’, but this time, he expressed inability to do anything, except “standing with them”.
When a student asked the youth leader whether he can make any arrangement or proposal to the university so that the grants received from the Centre could be use for the self-financing courses, he asked her to put the request “to the BJP”.
“Unfortunately, we are not in government in Delhi, not in Punjab. I can’t help you but I can stand with you, try to work with you and put pressure on the government…You are required to put your request to the BJP,” he replied.
When a student, Simranjit Kaur, asked how can the “aspirants” like her come into mainstream politics, Rahul said that country’s political system is closed for the people like you.“You can’t access it…the common students, party leaders, workers can’t access it…And there is a need to make a place for you in that system…and I, in the Congress party, is making an attempt to give students and workers like you a place in the party to make rules and laws of the country in the lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha,” he said.
Projected as the “future Prime Minister” by the Congress ahead 2014 polls, Rahul was unaware of the Sanskrit Universities in the country. In fact, he was seen opposing the demand of a Sanskrit student who was demanding to have a “full-fledged varsity to the mother of all languages”.
Indian has a total of eight varsities dedicated to the language including Sampurnanand Sanskrit University situated in Varanasi which was established way back in 1791.“My view vary from your views…I feel as much you can teach a person about different things is good…in a university of a single subject, your vision will be narrowed,” said Rahul leaving the student unsatisfied.
Interestingly, question regarding Rahul’s wedding come from a boy who said that he was waiting to do ‘bhangra’ on his wedding. Blushing, Rahul said: “Dekhte hain (let’s see)”.
Among many dull moments…Rahul went into one-to-one interaction and cross-questioning the students over “irrelevant” issues testing patience of many who finally decided to left the hall in the middle of the session. “Is he from the psychology departmentIJ” whispered a student.