On February 3, 2025, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, shared his vision for a self-reliant India, with a special focus on the country’s youth. He said that young people should lead the next big change in India, mainly in the areas of electric vehicles, batteries, Artificial Intelligence, and other new technologies. He brought attention to that, India should not allow China to lead in these areas.
Rahul Gandhi also introduced serious concerns about Chinese forces being present in Indian territory, something that Prime Minister Modi has denied, but the Army Chief has confirmed. Gandhi connected this issue to India’s weak economy, arguing that India’s failure to boost domestic manufacturing through the ‘Make in India’ program has made it easier for China to become a bigger force in the region. He gave an example of a mobile phone, saying that although it may be made in India, all its parts are made in China, which shows India’s failure to produce goods on its own.
In his speech, Gandhi also spoke about the unusual rise in the number of voters in Maharashtra. Between the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, about 70 lakh new voters appeared, which Gandhi said raised questions about the fairness of the election process. He called for the Election Commission to share data from both elections to investigate the matter.
Gandhi further expressed his support for a caste census, pointing to a study in Telangana that showed that nearly 90% of the population belongs to backward classes, Dalits, Adivasis, or minorities. He argued that a caste census at the national level would help the government understand and address the needs of these groups.
Lastly, Gandhi stressed the importance of protecting India’s democratic institutions. He criticized the recent removal of the Chief Justice from the committee that appoints the Election Commissioner, saying that such decisions weaken the balance of power and transparency in India’s elections.
Gandhi ended his speech by urging the government to focus on solving real problems, rather than making empty promises. He asked India’s youth to hold the government accountable and reminded everyone that the strength of the country lies in its democratic values and the trust of its people. (PR)