Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday claimed that the youth of Uttar Pradesh was being misled and fooled by the government of the day round-the-clock and that a caste-based census will be their biggest weapon in their fight for their rights. Gandhi, whose 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' reached Prayagraj during the day, exhorted the state's youth to “get organised and fight for your rights”, alleging that while students and farmers were denied loans, big industrialists were extended massive borrowings at the drop of a hat. He also flagged the incidents of frequent “paper leaks” in the state, which he claimed were an injustice on the youth. Joined by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the yatra in the city, the former Congress president raised the issue of student union elections in the state, adding that there was no future of the youth, particularly those from the backward and tribal communities. He claimed that while backwards, Dalits and tribals comprised 73 percent of the country's population, not a single individual from these groups owned India's top 200 companies. “You have to find out what is your share in the country's wealth. How much wealth do the 73 per cent castes have in this country? Caste census is the X-ray of the country. This will reveal everything," he said. “What are these paper leaks about? They are an instrument to stop and cheat you (youth). They are an injustice on you and this is being done by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). This injustice is being done on the land of Sangam (Prayagraj) and the youth of Uttar Pradesh is being misled,” he added. During the public meeting, many students stood holding placards against exam paper leaks. “What is the caste of (Gautam) Adani? Is he an OBC, Dalit or a tribal?” he questioned. The student union elections were not being allowed to take place to take away the power of youth, he alleged. “Daro mat, pichhe mat hato, apna haq lo (don't be scared. Do not retreat and get your rights). The caste-based census is your biggest weapon to fight for your rights,” said the Congress leader. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said Gandhi reached the Swaraj Bhawan directly from the Prayagraj airport. He met Congress workers there before taking out the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. The yatra will go to Mauaima via Teliarganj, Phaphamau and Holagarh where the yatra will halt. On Monday, Gandhi will resume his yatra from the state's Pratapgarh district and will reach Amethi which he once represented in the Lok Sabha. He will address a gathering in Amethi around 4pm. — With PTI inputs
