Students in severe pain need PM's apology, not forgiveness: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi used Vaiko's book launch to question the Prime Minister's response to protesting students and attack the RSS. The event also became a wider defence of India's federal character, with Farooq Abdullah raising Jammu and Kashmir statehood.

In Short

• Gandhi said the Constitution defines India as a union of states
• He said each state reflects its people's history, language and experience
• Gandhi praised Vaiko's ideological consistency and his habit of questioning power

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday released Vaiko in Parliament, a compilation of parliamentary speeches by MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, and used the occasion to launch a sharp attack on the RSS and question Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to protesting students.

Speaking at the launch at the Constitution Club of India, Gandhi said the country was going through a "strange time", with students taking to the streets over unemployment, examinations and the education system.

"We are going through a strange time in our country. Students are on the street in severe pain. They don't have work. They're asking for help. For fairness in exams, they're asking for an education system that works," Gandhi said.

He then questioned the Prime Minister's response to the students.

"And on the other side, we have the prime minister who is forgiving them. Who he is to forgive them, I don't know. Where he gets the idea that he has the right to forgive the future of India, I don't know. But that's what he chooses to do," Gandhi said.

He went on to target the RSS, describing its idea of India as "very dangerous and caustic".

"And behind the thinking of the prime minister, and behind the thinking of his colleagues and particularly the RSS is a very dangerous and caustic idea. The idea that this country is not an expression of the many," Gandhi said.

'INDIA IS A UNION OF STATES'

Gandhi said the Constitution makes it clear that India is a union of states and argued that every state represents the history, language, traditions and experiences of its people.

"In the Constitution, it's clearly written. India, that is, Bharat, is a union of states. A state is an expression of the people of India," he said.

"When we say Tamil Nadu, we are not just saying empty words. Inside those words is the history of the Tamil people, the language of the Tamil people. The pain, suffering, happiness of the Tamil people," Gandhi added.

He said the Constitution recognises the distinct identity and expression of every state.

"And so the Constitution says that every state represents one history, one tradition, one language, one expression of our people. And so every single state has the right to that expression. Every single state must be treated fairly," he said.

RAHUL GANDHI PRAISES VAIKO'S CONSISTENCY

Gandhi also praised Vaiko for his political consistency and his willingness to continue questioning those in power.

"I want to congratulate Vaiko for his speeches and book. Whenever I judge any politician, the most important is consistency. Whether that person says one thing one day and other thing the other day. Vaiko has been consistent with his ideology," Gandhi said.

Recalling his long friendship with Vaiko, Gandhi also joked about the MDMK leader being described as a "young person".

"You said he is young person, didn't say that he is dashing and handsome. But who is young person, he is someone who asks questions. He is 82 years old but he still asks questions unlike certain people," Gandhi said.

Vaiko, meanwhile, thanked Gandhi at the event and referred to him as the "Future prime minister".

"I want to thank Future prime minister Rahul Gandhi ji," Vaiko said.

FAROOQ ABDULLAH RAISES J&K STATEHOOD ISSUE

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, who was also present at the book launch, raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and warned that other states could face a similar fate.

"Look at Jammu & Kashmir, a state converted to Union Territory, completely against the fundamental laws. And they are going to do this to other states also, be sure about it, if they remain in power," Abdullah said.

He described Jammu and Kashmir as a "practice ground" and criticised the reduction of the former state to a Union Territory.

"It is the practice ground that Kashmir has been. I can't imagine that the crown of India has been reduced to a Union Territory. There is an elected government with hardly any powers. The power lies with the Centre," Abdullah said.

He also questioned when the Centre would restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

"When we cry and say restore our statehood, they say 'Yes, we will do so'. But when will you do it? How long have we to wait?" he asked.

Abdullah said greater trust between the government and people was necessary to strengthen the country.

"Unless you trust people, you're not going to make this country great. That is what we lack, the trust factor is not there," he said.

- Ends