Contrasting Birthday for Rahul Gandhi: BJP Criticism, PM Modi’s Wishes and a New Campaign
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By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 19: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemning Congress workers for portraying Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi as 'Lord Parshuram', and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extending birthday wishes to him, Gandhi's birthday witnessed contrasting moments on Friday. While some party workers performed a milk bath ritual on his morphed picture, Gandhi marked the day by launching an education reform campaign through a job fair and the movement, "Chhatron Ki Goonj".
"Best wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji on his birthday. Praying for his good health and long life. @RahulGandhi," wrote PM Modi on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 56th birthday on X, formerly Twitter.
Thousands of job aspirants turned up at a job fair organised by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi on Friday. Senior leader Sachin Pilot also participated in the event and was seen interacting with the job seekers.
"The sparkle in these eyes and this smile on the face is our greatest earning. When young people get their dream jobs, it brings a sense of peace to the heart that our small initiative has succeeded... Heartfelt wishes to all of you for a bright future," wrote Uday Bhanu Chib, president of the IYC, in a post on X.
The IYC claimed that around 35,000 people had registered for the event, said a report by news agency PTI.
'Chhatron ki Goonj' Campaign of Rahul Gandhi in 3 More Cities
On the eve of his birthday on Wednesday, Gandhi launched a signature campaign to amplify issues related to the nation's education system, such as paper leaks and high fees.
"If you've suffered because of paper leaks, exam issues, or high fees, if this education system has shattered your dreams, if your family has invested a lifetime of savings in your education, then 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' is your voice," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a post.
The movement began in Kota, Rajasthan, on Wednesday with a massive programme involving students. The campaign will now move to Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Patna, and Delhi in July.
5 Ministries Budget Claim
During his Kota event, Gandhi said families spend on five major examinations an amount
equivalent to the combined budgets of five major ministries of the Indian government, adding that this is a "shame".
"Do you know how much students and their families spend annually preparing for just five exams in India—NEET, JEE, SSC, UPSC, and RRB? ₹3.5 lakh crore," Gandhi said in a post on X.
He added: "That is nearly three times the Government of India's entire education budget. It is equivalent to the combined budgets of five ministries: Education, Health, Labour, Science, and Women & Child Development. And what do millions of young people get in return? Stress, uncertainty, unemployment, and shattered dreams. Families are today bearing the financial burden of an expenditure that ought to be the government's responsibility. #ChhatronKiGoonj"
Several political leaders across party lines wished Rahul Gandhi a happy birthday, with Gandhi warmly responding to them.
