Congress president’s inability to answer questions have steadily eroded whatever little credibility he had as a prime ministerial candidate in the recent past. Rahul Gandhi’s casual answer on benefits he would offer to those who passed NCC ‘C’ certificate had invited many comments and criticism earlier in the day. The interaction between Congress president and students was organised in Maharani College of Arts, Mysuru.
However, another question thrown by a student seems to have stumped the Congress president completely. This time around, the Congress president chose not to answer and allowed the Chief Minister to answer as to why the government was discriminating against students based on their caste identities.
https://twitter.com/mac_thimmaiah/status/977496479446089729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Full video of the interaction between the student, Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah can be seen below.
The translation of the interaction is below :
Student: Since you and CM are here, I would like to ask you some questions
Moderators: Ask in English
Rahul Gandhi: No you can ask in Kannada. I will get it translated. [calls G Parameshwara, state Congress president]
Student: While giving benefits (scholarships/laptops) to students why is the government discriminating us based on communities?
Rahul Gandhi (asking G Parameshwara): Who is discriminating?
G Parameshwara: Government.
Rahul Gandhi: Is it a national question or a Karnataka question ?
Student: Karnataka
Rahul Gandhi: Well it is a Karnataka, you ask the Karnataka Chief Minister here.
Student (repeats question): While giving benefits (scholarships / laptops) to students why is the government discriminating us based on communities? Are we not the same (in government’s eyes)?
Siddaramaiah [answering the question]: You are all students who are studying BA, B.Sc. MBA. There are many inequalities in society. There is poverty and gender discrimination in society. These differences are not created by us. It has happened because of historical events. What should we do to eliminate differences? In a house, if there is a capable and weak kid what should be done? We should give extra care to the weaker kid. Thus some extra attention must given some kids who are weak and have been denied opportunies. They have to be brought to the mainstream. Only then we can create an equal society. Otherwise, the disparity will continue in society.
[The student was not convinced and asked another question]
Student: What about laptops?
Siddaramaiah: We are distributing laptops to all students irrespective of caste, irrespective of religion to those who have passed PUC.
[Students shout back ‘NO, the video ends]
This only shows that the discontent with Siddaramaiah’s divide and rule policy is rising among youth and Rahul Gandhi is totally incapable of taking any serious question.