At ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ in Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi Raises Youth Unemployment, Data and AI Concerns

Image Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Dated 8th August 2026

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Chief Political Editor

Prayagraj | Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Prayagraj today evening, said that the strength and data of the country’s youth would play a major role in shaping India’s economy in the 21st century.

Recalling his family’s connection with Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi said he was happy to be in the city and noted that it was once a major centre of knowledge. He said Allahabad University was once among the best universities in the country.

Image Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS

Addressing the youth, Rahul Gandhi said the young people of India had “lit the light in the darkness” and had faced fear while working for change. He said India has around 400 million young people and described them as the country’s biggest strength.

According to Rahul Gandhi, the two major strengths that can help India progress in the 21st century are the strength of its youth and the data of its youth. He said, “Youth + Data = The economy of the 21st century.” He further said that without the data of young people, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has no meaning, adding that AI can be created from data, but data cannot be created from AI.

VIDEO | Highlights | Rahul Gandhi addressing the gathering during ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ program in Prayagraj | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

‘Youth trapped in a chakravyuh’

Rahul Gandhi said that although India has the potential and data of its youth, the existing system has trapped young people in a “chakravyuh”. He said families spend large amounts of money on the education of their children, but after completing their studies, many young people receive only a certificate and do not get employment.

He claimed that only 12 out of 1,000 people get permanent jobs. He also alleged that the personal data of people is being taken and handed over to big companies, while young people are encouraged to make reels and online content.

Calling reels a “new addiction of the 21st century”, Rahul Gandhi said young people are being asked to work in platforms such as Blinkit and Uber, do labour work and make reels, instead of getting proper employment opportunities.

He urged the youth to recognise their strength and not allow themselves to be driven towards hatred and violence. “You are India’s spirit. You are India’s future,” he said, appealing to young people to follow the path of love and non-violence.

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‘All doors are closed for youth’

Rahul Gandhi also highlighted what he described as the major problems faced by young people in India. He said that the youth were facing difficulties in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, government employment, PSU jobs and corporate employment.

He cited figures claiming that Chinese products are three times higher in manufacturing, while 90 per cent of MSMEs do not get loans. He said that in government jobs, only one candidate among 150 gets an opportunity. On PSU employment, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the number of jobs had declined from around 14 lakh in 2014 to 7 lakh in 2024. He also referred to the impact of Artificial Intelligence on employment and said that AI could reduce corporate jobs by 60 per cent.

Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the present system was working for the benefit of the BJP, RSS and capitalists. He raised issues relating to money, political power and ideology.

Rahul Gandhi claimed that businessman Gautam Adani’s income had increased 30 times in 10 years and alleged that the BJP’s bank balance had reached Rs 10,000 crore. He also alleged that RSS ideologues were being placed in important institutions.

Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-RSS system of destroying employment opportunities, affecting universities and targeting young people. These remarks were part of his criticism of the government and the existing economic and political system.

VIDEO | Highlights | Rahul Gandhi addressing the gathering during ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ program in Prayagraj | Source : @INCIndia CONGRESS.

Concluding his address, Rahul Gandhi said that the culture of India was based on truth and non-violence. He appealed to students and young people not to allow hatred to enter their hearts.

“We will never work with hatred and violence,” he said, adding that the “culture of Hindustan is one of truth and non-violence”. He said the existing system should be changed through love and affection and assured the youth that he would continue to stand with those fighting for their rights.

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid