Kota (Rajasthan) [India], June 17 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday backed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his interaction with NEET aspirants in Kota, saying that the youth in the country are under immense pressure and "going into depression" due to prevailing circumstances.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi's outreach programme, Gehlot said the initiative reflected a positive approach towards addressing student concerns.
"When Rajiv Gandhi was the PM, Congress gave 18-year-old students the right to vote... Rahul Gandhi's approach is positive. The youth of the country are suffering, they're going into depression...he wants to create an atmosphere across the country that people should be told the truth," he told ANI.
"This is Om Birla's area...the Speaker does not belong to any party. He should have been happy with Rahul Gandhi's visit if he was honest and impartial," Gehlot added.
The remarks come as Rahul Gandhi launched his 'Echo of Students' campaign from Kota, focusing on alleged NEET-UG examination paper leaks, recruitment scams, cancelled recruitments, rising fees, privatisation, and other issues affecting students and job aspirants.
As part of the campaign, Gandhi has called for a nationwide mobilisation of students, youth organisations, and educators, alleging that the education system has failed under the current government. He has also linked the deaths of two NEET aspirants--Umesh in Sikar and Riya in Dehradun--to what he called "pressure" from an "unjust system".
Gandhi has accused the government of turning into a "machine that crushes dreams" over the last 12 years, while announcing a series of student conventions in Allahabad on July 10, Patna on July 11, and New Delhi on July 14.