During his election campaigning in Tamil Nadu Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Tamil Nadu should show the way to India in keeping away forces that are inimical to la𒐪nguage and culture and those projecting "one culture, one nation, and one history" concept.
The Lok Sabha MP is on a thꦬree-day tour to Tamil Nadu ahead of the state Assembly elections on April 6 being contested by Congress in alliance with the M K Stalin-led DMK.
If he were to interview Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul said he would ask "why are you convinced that all answers should come from𒀰 you".
Rahul also said the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), strongly opposed to by Tamil Nadu political parties, was a "big issue" and "not beneficial" for students. The Wayanad MP displayed his fitness 📖when he effortlessly did multiple pushups, including one-handed, while he shook a leg with the students he interacted with, as accompanying Congress leaders Dinesh Gundu Rao and K S Alagiri joined him.
At a public a🍎ddress in Nagercoil in the district, Gandhi said history has shown nobody can rule Tamil Nadu other than the Tamil people.
"This election will show t✅he same thing that only a person who truly represents the Tamil pღeople can be a Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," he said.
"Tamil Nadu chief minister (K Palanis꧋wam𝔍i) who bows to Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never be able to do this. The chief minister should bow to the people of the state," he said.
The RS🃏S and Modi "🐠insult Tamil language and culture", he said, adding the people should not to allow them to gain a foothold in the state.
Rahul further said "Modi talks about one culture, one nation, one histꦏory and one leader."
"Is Tamil not an Indian language? Is Bengali not an Indian language? Is Tamil culture not Indian culture? This is the ba🔯ttle that is being fought in this election," he said as the crowd cheered.
&qu😼ot;It is my duty to protect the Tamil language, culture and history just as it is my duty to protect all languages and religions ไin India," he said.
He accused the BJP-led government at the Centre as well as the Palaniswami governme﷽nt of not respecting Tamil language, culture or tradition.
Recalling the yeဣoman service of late Congress MP H Vasantha Kumar, Rahul said he always stood by the party values. He laid a wreath at Kumar's memorial at Kanyakumari.
During his interaction with students of St. Joseph's Matric Higher Secondary School, Mulagumoo♊du in the distri🍎ct, he said NEET is a 'big' issue in the state.
"NEET is a big issue here. It is stopping many youngsters from pursuing their dreams. It is not benefic♐ial," he claimed.
Arguing that teachers♐ and students are both equally important in shaping education policy, as they are the pillars of the institution, he said no policy will be beneficial if the views of teachers and students are not obtained.
"If I force you to read, then it is arrogance, but 🌸if I ask what do you require, then it is humility. Arrogance creates problems whereas humility resolves problems," he said.
Asked why youngsters don't want to make politics a career, Rahul said it could be so because "🌞;there are some politicians who steal from people."
"There are good political leaders who work for the people, try t♛o understand people and empower them. Draw inspiration from such leaders who help people," he said.
Recalling his brief interaction with a few boys w♛ith whom he sipped tea, before arriving at the school, Rahul said he was impressed by th🌜e ambition of one of them who wanted to become an astronaut.
He said he would writ♎e a letter to the Chairman of ISRO who may allow the boy to visit the space station.
"When he visits, he may be inspired and will grow upꦅ to join the space mission...," Gandhi said. Becoming an astronaut was the boy's choice but helping him achieve his dream was the politician's job, he added.
Asked what he would ask Prime Min▨ister Narendra Modi, if he were to interview him, he shot back, "you have asked me a tricky question," evoking laughter from the audience.
"I would ask, why are you convinced 𝔍that all answers should come from you. Why don't you listen to what the people of the country feel or want to say," he said.
Many stud🦹ents who interacted with Rahul addr💜essed him as Rahul "Anna" (elder brother).
Wh♐at is Rahul Anna's recipe for good health, does he follow a special diet regimen, a student asked.
"I run, swim and cycle. I have learnt Aikido martial art," Gandhi said and demo𓃲nstrated th﷽e Japanese technique.
During his tour, he tasted palm fꦑruit and sipped tea in a shop.
Later, at a roadshow, he l൩ashed out at the Centre over demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying they "destroyed" many small and medium businesses.
&🐈quot;The new farm laws are going to destroy the lives of ou🔴r farmers," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
